Pep Guardiola is keen to sign another left-back this summer as Benjamin Mendy remains suspended following allegations of rape and sexual assault while Oleksandr Zinchenko struggled for playing time last season, but Fabrizio Romano says Manchester City are ‘waiting’ to make a bid for their top transfer target – Marc Cucurella.
Manchester City have not changed their plans: they will sign a new centre back this summer in case Nathan Aké joins Chelsea (at least £40m). Josko Gvardiol, highly rated but Leipzig want to keep him. 🔵 #MCFC
Marc Cucurella, still considered a top target – waiting for the bid.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2022
The 23-year-old joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a five-year deal from Getafe last summer and has gone on to make 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal with two assists.
Cucurella, a former Barcelona defender, has made 91 tackles, had 30 interceptions, made 61 clearances, blocked 14 shots, had 27/54 successful dribbles, won 35/68 aerial duels and created 40 chances in the Premier League, so he has all the attributes to be an effective fullback.
City have been linked with Theo Hernandez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nuno Tavares, Alex Sandro, Abner Vinicius, Nuno Mendes, David Alaba, Nicolas Fernandez Marcau, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Robin Gosens in the past, but Romano believes Cucurella is the player they want.
But until Nathan Ake is sold for £40m, it doesn’t appear a bid will be made for Cucurella. City have all but balanced their incomings and outgoings this summer, so they’re making sure their net spend is as low as possible.