Manchester City set to battle Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona for Marc Cucurella alternative
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Pep Guardiola has freshened up City’s squad this summer, and the Sky Blues are in the market for a left-back after versatile Ukraine international Oleksandr Zinchenko moved to Arsenal in a deal worth £32m.
The Premier League title-holders have made signing Cucurella a priority, but are reportedly close to walking away from a deal for the Seagulls’ player of the season.
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Hide AdAlbion remain firm in the stance of keeping the 24-year-old at the Amex, and have demanded £50m from City.
The champions are reportedly willing to pay up to £40m for Cucurella, but that is the club’s upper-limit for the deal.
In another twist earlier today, the Spanish defender handed in a transfer request to try and force through his move to the Blues.
It is understood that the transfer request has not changed Brighton’s position on their valuation of Cucurella.
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Hide AdCity have become frustrated by Albion’s demands and may seek alternative options at left-back.
One of those is Stuttgart’s Croatian full-back Sosa, according to Sports Illustrated.
City have reportedly named the 24-year-old as an ideal alternative for Cucurella, and the Sky Blues are now ready to make a move for the defender should negotiations with the Seagulls continue to drag on.
But competition for the Croatian is fierce and a number of Europe’s top clubs have also been linked with moves for Sosa.
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Hide AdGerman newspaper Bild has reported that the full-back can leave Stuttgart for just €25m (£20m), with Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur targeting the defender.
The Sun, meanwhile, has reported that Chelsea are set to secure the services of Sosa in a deal worth £21m.
According to German outlet, Heidenheimer Zeitung, Stuttgart have ‘assured’ Sosa that he will be allowed to depart Mercedes-Benz Arena this summer.
Sosa has made 83 appearances for Die Roten since joining from Dinamo Zagreb in 2018.
The left-back has scored three goals and provided an impressive 23 assists. He has also received six caps for Croatia.