Since coming under new ownership in 2008, Manchester City have developed a reputation for spending vast sums of money on incoming players.
High transfer fees for players such as £32.5 million on Robinho in 2008, £49 million on Raheem Sterling in 2015 and £47.5 million on John Stones the following year have raised the eyebrows of fans and media alike.
Yet in recent seasons, the Premier League champions have had a more business-like approach to transfers, walking away from deals if too much is demanded.
City were reportedly interested in Jorginho, Fred and Harry Maguire at one stage in the past four years, but crucially chose to walk away from negotiations when the price tag was too steep.
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Following the £51 million coup of sought-after striker Erling Haaland, it seems that City are ready to be doing efficient transfer business this summer.
It is rumoured that the Blues have several other names on their shopping list this summer - including Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips.
This is not set to change with Brighton & Hove Albion's Marc Cucurella either, according to ESPN, whose sources say that City do not consider the Seagulls asking price of £35 million as 'overly problematic'.
Should the left back make the move to City, it is likely that fellow left back Oleksandr Zinchenko will leave the club to make room.
Both Arsenal and West Ham United are rumoured destinations for the Ukrainian, who has won four Premier League titles in his stint with the Citizens.
City’s interest in Cucurella comes after a fine season on the South Coast, where the Spanish left back made 38 appearances in all competitions, registering two assists and scoring a goal against City’ rivals Manchester United in a 4-0 drubbing of the Red Devils at the Amex Stadium in May.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Brighton And Hove Albion
Edward Burnett