Manchester City aren’t making much progress signing Marc Cucurella after having their opening bid rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion, but Kevin Campbell says the 24-year-old could take matters into his own hands by handing in a transfer request.
City offered £30m for Cucurella this summer but had their bid quickly rejected as they’re holding out for £50m. The Spanish international is reportedly unhappy with Brighton pricing him out of a move, so Campbell says a formal request might be the only way to force a transfer.
He told Football Insider: “Brighton might say the only way we will let you go is if you put a transfer request in. That is what happens. When you put a transfer request in the club is likely to negotiate. Brighton want top dollar, but City don’t want to pay £50million because Brighton got him for cheap.
“Pep knows him from when he was at Barcelona as a kid. He did very well at Getafe and was equally brilliant in his first season in the Premier League. He is a high energy player who can do it at both ends of the pitch. I think he is worth £50million. City should pay it.”
Cucurella joined Brighton on a five-year deal from Getafe last summer and went on to make 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal with two assists. The 24-year-old created 42 chances, made 28 successful dribbles, whipped in 115 crosses and averaged a tackle (93) or interception (30) every 25 minutes from 35 league games, so he’s effective in both boxes.
Cucurella is keen to join City this summer and isn’t pleased that Brighton are standing in his way of a transfer, so a formal request might be necessary.
In other news, reports from France say Man City could replace Bernardo Silva with Lucas Paqueta