Chelsea try ‘hijacking Man City’s move for Marc Cucurella’ in potential swap
Chelsea are attempting a hijack of Manchester City’s move for Marc Cucurella, according to reports.
The London side have decided to come in and nab the Brighton defender from under the Citizen’s noses, reports transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. The Italian reporter tweeted out: “Chelsea are pushing to hijack Marc Cucurella deal! Direct talk today with Brighton – Levi Colwill could be part of the negotiation. Personal terms negotiation, in the next hours. Man City will not improve last bid: £40m, rejected by Brighton.“
The Guardian reported shortly after that Thomas Tuchel ’s side were closing in on the Spaniard after informing the Seagulls they are willing to pay £50m for him. City have been reluctant to meet Brighton’s asking price for the player, who handed in a transfer request last week. But now Chelsea have come in to try and snatch the deal away from Pep Guardiola.
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Cucurella joined Brighton last summer but already is keen to develop and challenge for the best prizes in football. If it is agreed, it is thought that Brighton could ask for the 19-year-old Chelsea centre-back Levi Colwill to be included as part of a swap deal.
Tuchel has a huge job on his hands rebuilding his defence. He wants to strengthen the backline and also add some competition to Ben Chilwell on the left side.
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Cucurella is a versatile player who can be selected at left-back and even left centre-back. City are on the hunt for a left-back too but they had two bids for the player turned down by Brighton. But if he does end up leaving, it could see Marcos Alonso to complete a move to Barcelona, with the left wing-back wanting to make the switch to Spain.
The Catalans are also thought to be pining for Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta, but a move for him there is dependent on whether the side are able to bring in more defenders, with Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger already sold.
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