Speaking on the Here We Go Podcast, Fabrizio Romano has been discussing how close Manchester City came to signing Marc Cucurella earlier this summer.
The Cityzens were strongly linked with the left-back all summer long as they looked to bolster their options at full-back.
Unfortunately for City, Chelsea pipped them to this signing as they were willing to offer a higher fee, but according to Romano, City could’ve signed the Chelsea star in a part-exchange deal that would’ve seen Julian Alvarez head to the Amex on loan.
What’s been said?
Romano shared what he knows about the potential Alvarez and Cucurella swap deal.
“I want to mention Man City, a lot of you remember that Cucurella was close to joining Man City in June/July but a deal didn’t happen because of the price, Man City had a £40m rejected, but I can reveal to you that at one point in the negotiation Brighton asked for Julian Alvarez as a part of the deal on loan. Man City said ‘no way’, they received more than 10 loan requests for Alvarez from other clubs, but they said no and also with Brighton,” Romano said.
Wasn’t worth it
A big transfer fee plus Alvarez on loan just wouldn’t have been worth it for City to get Cucurella.
Yes, the Spaniard is an incredibly talented footballer, but Alvarez has already shown this season just how valuable he can be to City.
Joao Cancelo is more than good enough at left-back, while Sergio Gomez also looks like a star in the making.
Brighton would’ve been over the moon if they’d managed to get their hands on Alvarez in exchange for Cucurella, but City seemingly know just how talented a player they have with the Argentine and they weren’t willing to let him go.
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