According to The Athletic, Brighton have now ended talks with Manchester City over a deal for Tottenham target Marc Cucurella.
What’s the story?
Well, after being told that the 24-year-old was valued at £50m, the Citizens went ahead and submitted a lowball offer of £30m following the sale of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal.
Brighton rejected the offer, but Manchester City successfully unsettled Cucurella in the process.
The Spain international handed in a transfer request yesterday as he aims to force a move to the Etihad Stadium, but the Seagulls are seemingly furious, and have now cut off talks with the Citizens.
In our view, that gives Tottenham the upper hand in this transfer saga, as they haven’t angered Brighton.
Interest in Cucurella comes after he shone in his debut campaign at the Amex Stadium, making 39 appearances in all competitions as he won Brighton’s Player of the Season award.
The Athletic state that Brighton view the Spaniard as a rarer and better talent than Ben White, who they sold to Arsenal for £50m last year, so they are standing firm on their £50m valuation.
Tottenham must beat Manchester City to Marc Cucurella
Of course, £50m is a lot of money to spend on one player, but Cucurella has proven himself capable of being a vital squad player for Antonio Conte.
The Brighton No.3 can operate as a left wing-back, a traditional left winger, and also as a left sided centre-back, so if he arrived in north London, it would give Conte serious tactical flexibility.
Not many players specialise in three key areas like that, especially at the age of just 24.
If Tottenham really are keen to sign Cucurella, there is no better time to swoop in and make a bid after Manchester City annoyed Brighton with their approach to negotiations.
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