Yesterday, Tottenham target Marc Cucurella submitted a transfer request after Brighton rejected a £30m bid from Manchester City.
The Seagulls are demanding £50m for their Player of the Season, and have now cut off talks with the Citizens after they unsettled the left-back with a derisory offer.
Now, Cucurella has been punished for his actions by Graham Potter.
What’s the story?
Well, Brighton welcomed Espanyol to the Amex Stadium for a friendly earlier today, but the 24-year-old was nowhere to be seen.
Potter left his No.3 out of the starting XI following the transfer request, and Cucurella wasn’t even named among the substitutes as he was punished for attempting to force an exit.
It remains to be seen what happens now, but we cannot see anything developing unless Brighton receive a £50m bid.
According to The Athletic, the Seagulls view Cucurella as a rarer and better player than Ben White as a result of his ability to play in three positions down the left flank.
As you may know, Brighton sold White to Arsenal for £50m last summer, so they are arguably entitled to demand more than £50m if those at the Amex Stadium believe the Spaniard is better.
Cucurella made 39 appearances last term following his £15m move from Getafe in 2021, scoring one goal while also providing two assists.
Tottenham could tempt Brighton into Marc Cucurella sale
In our view, a player-plus-cash deal could be done by Fabio Paratici.
Tottenham’s Director of Football is attempting to offload Sergio Reguilon, who is not fancied by Antonio Conte.
The Spaniard has already been offered to Inter Milan, but if Spurs are genuinely interested in Cucurella, then we believe they should make an offer in the region of £20m plus Reguilon.
If accepted, it would see Tottenham offload an unwanted player, gain a target for Conte, and Brighton also wouldn’t need to scour the market for a new left-back.
Of course, that is idealistic thinking, but anything could happen this summer after Cucurella’s transfer request.
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