Manchester City have stepped up their interest in Marc Cucurella as they prepare for Oleksandr Zinchenko's possible departure.
The Brighton full-back has been a huge success at the Amex Stadium and continues to attract admiring glances from some of the Premier League's top outfits. Cucurella though is valued by the Seagulls at £50m which could force the champions to look elsewhere.
The full-back joined Brighton from Getafe last year following a £15.4m deal but would now command a fee far greater than that. Pep Guardiola is in need of a new left-back with Zinchenko edging towards a switch to Arsenal, where he would be reunited with Gabriel Jesus.
Mikel Arteta has already raided his former club once this summer and now looks set to do so again for the Ukraine star. Zinchenko has been a versatile player whilst at City but he wants to be a regular in central midfield - a role that may not be offered to him at the Etihad.
As a result a £30m switch to the Emirates is on the cards and City upping their interest in Cucurella suggests Zinchenko's days at the club are coming to an end. He would be Arsenal's fifth signing and may also see them end their interest in Leicester City's Youri Tielemans.
Guardiola and his City side are eyeing a hat-trick of league success, which would be their fifth in six years, and the Catalan has overseen several majors in and outs this summer. Stalwarts like Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho have all left Manchester.
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Meanwhile Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips have moved to the Etihad and Guardiola insists he will not be going after more cover in the final third, instead focusing on bringing in a left-back. Joao Cancelo is their only out and out option in that area, although several other players can cover if necessary.
City also tied down Riyad Mahrez to an improved deal last week, meaning the Algerian will remain at the club until 2025. "I'm very happy to sign the new deal," the player told the club's website. “I have enjoyed every single minute of my time here. It’s a pleasure to be part of such an incredible Club.
"To have helped us achieve the success we have enjoyed in the past four seasons has been unforgettable and made us all hungry to look to achieve even more. I would also like to thank Pep, Txiki and the coaching staff, both for the way they have helped me to develop as a player and for pushing me to continue to improve. Now I just want to try and play my part in helping us be successful next season and beyond."
