Manchester City are desperate to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion but are £10m apart in negotiations, so James Ducker of the Telegraph says they’ve got an ‘alternative target’ lined up in case they can’t sign the Spanish international – Borna Sosa.
The 24-year-old joined Vfb Stuttgart from Dinamo Zagreb in 2018 and has gone on to make 83 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals with 23 assists. Last season, Sosa made eight assists and scored one goal from 28 Bundesliga games, which put him on par with Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus for goals made (8).
He created 61 chances, had 35/50 successful dribbles, blocked 35 shots/passes/crosses, made 56 clearances, won 20/39 aerial duels, whipped in 239 crosses and averaged a tackle (22) or interception (26) every 52 minutes, so it’s easy to see why he’s on Pep Guardiola’s shortlist.
Sosa isn’t City’s first-choice at left-back, but he might be a cheaper option if Brighton won’t accept £40m for Cucurella. Guardiola doesn’t have a player than managed more assists than the 24-year-old in the league last season, so he would be a good addition to the squad.