Transfer Request Lodged As Guardiola Confirms Interest In A Left Back

City chasing Marc Cucurella but unwilling to match Brighton's valuation

With Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola again reshaping his first team squad quite significantly this summer, one departure that many outside of the club but in the wider world of football would not have expected was versatile left sided Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The 25-year-old 52 capped international made the switch from the Etihad Stadium to the Emirates Stadium to join up with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in a reported £30 million move, and given the speculation that surrounded City's supposed interest in one capped Spanish international Marc Cucurella - things began making a little more sense.

Whilst nothing has been confirmed officially about any bids or enquiries, it has been claimed by some that Brighton and Hove Albion have already rejected one bid for the player as it did not meet their £50 million valuation, especially as he only joined them from Getafe last season for a fee believed to be in the region of £15.5 million.

It has been claimed by the likes of the BBC that Cucurella has let it be known that he feels that valuation is excessive given Brighton's original outlay for his services and on Friday evening it was being speculated that he had now submitted an official transfer request at The Amex Stadium to try and help grease any potential deal along and for those who like a flutter you would get good odds on a deal going through if you searched for best football betting sites uk.

The player did have a fantastic maiden season in the Premier League for Brighton and Hove Albion, and he impressed many in his 35 top flight starting appearances, so he was always going to have suitors this summer if Brighton were prepared to quickly cash in on him.

With pre season campaigns now well underway ahead of the coming 2022/23 campaign, Guardiola was predictably coy and respectful when tasked with questions about the apparent interest in the player. Meeting with the media at a press conference ahead of today's Community Shield clash against Liverpool at Leicester City's King Power Stadium, Guardiola simply stated.

"He is a Brighton player. I cannot say anything."

Pressed further on whether there was a desire to sign a left sided defender this summer, he did concede.

"If it is possible, yes. If not, we stay with what we have. We have enough players who can play there, Joao (Cancelo) can play there. Nathan (Ake)."

The former Barcelona and Spanish international midfielder went on to confirm that centre half Aymeric Laporte was now expected to be sidelined until at least September following the knee injury he sustained, which ultimately required surgery over the summer - and Guardiola had plenty of praise for the 28-year-old for playing through the pain barrier to see last season to its conclusion.

"Laporte is injured. He had knee surgery after last season and playing the last two or three games with an important injury. He made an incredible effort. So far he is doing really well, but you have to be careful with a knee. I think August will be out, September I think maybe he will start to be with us."

Given it is such a short lay off, there is no expectation Pep will be looking for extra cover there, but this is where Cucurella would be very handy as he is also capable of playing on the left in the middle, so he would naturally be another option.

We shall have to see what the saga provides next, but on the balance of probabilities, if Cucurella wants to move to City, players will normally get what they want in the modern game.