Manchester City Suffer Blow In Marc Cucurella Pursuit Following Graham Potter Comments

Brighton manager Graham Potter has addressed recent speculation linking Marc Cucurella with a move to Manchester City this summer.

The Seagulls boss has lifted the lid on Marc Cucurella’s future at the Amex Stadium as Manchester City’s interest does not look set to die down anytime soon.

With less than a fortnight left for the new season to begin, the Premier League champions have filled a number of their priority positions.

Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland have put an end to City's time in the absence of a natural number nine at their disposal.

Kalvin Phillips has also been signed as a replacement for Fernandinho, who left the club this summer.

The Leeds-born midfielder is expected to serve as an able backup to Rodri in defensive midfield.

After Zack Steffen’s calamitous outing in City’s FA Cup semi-final exit last term, he has departed for Middlesbrough on loan for regular minutes ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

On the contrary, Stefan Ortega is the archetypal modern goalkeeper who already looks settled in the side during pre-season. 

However, a major priority on City's agenda still remains the signing of a left-back, with Marc Cucurella touted to be their prime target for ages.

With Oleksandr Zinchenko recently joining Arsenal, Manchester City do not have a senior left-back on their books.

It has widely been reported that Pep Guardiola has been keen on the Catalan’s arrival, with the 24-year-old himself eyeing a move to the Etihad Stadium.

However, fresh reports have suggested Brighton believe City will not meet their £50 million plus valuation for their star defender.

The south-coast club are also understood to have considered Manchester City's opening bid of £30 million for Cucurella as laughable.

As doubts remain over whether a fee can be agreed, Brighton manager Graham Potter has given an insight into the situation.

“Yes, he (Cucurella) is happy," Potter said in an interview with the Argus, as quoted by Sussex Live.

"It is not easy because there's speculation. He is a human being and that is the challenge with footballers when the window is open, you get linked with this and that.

“It is what it is. We have a lot of respect for Marc (Cucurella), we like him a lot and we are just helping him enjoy his football.”

Brighton are under no pressure to sanction a sale for Cucurella, who has four years left on his long-term deal at the Amex Stadium.

The Seagulls have set a sizable price tag for their in-demand defender and are aware that City's lack of depth at left-back.

As things stand, only time will tell whether City will eventually give in and meet the valuation for Marc Cucurella, who seems the perfect candidate to fill the position for years to come.