Mexican Full-Back Gerardo Arteaga Emerges As Marc Cucurella Alternative

As the new campaign nears, Manchester City continue their hunt for a new left back. 

Following the departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, in a deal worth up to £32 million, the Sky Blues are now looking to add to their squad once again. 

The Ukrainian made the move away from the Etihad where he had been for six years in search for more time in the midfield, a position in which the versatile 25 year-old rarely played in for City, having established himself at left-back. 

Joao Cancelo had taken up the full-back position on numerous occasions last season, but following Zinchenko’s departure, the Champions are keen to sign a natural left-back. 

Brighton’s Marc Cucurella, who the Blues offered the South Coast side £30 million for last week, has been widely mooted as City’s top target. 

The offer was rejected, having fallen short of Brighton’s £50 million asking price.

Although talks between the two sides are still ongoing, Manchester City have seemingly started to look elsewhere, in case the Cucurella transfer fails to materialise. 

One player who the side have apparently reached out for is Gerardo Arteaga, who plays in the Belgian First Division with KRC Genk.

According to Lucas Sposito and as relayed by Sport Witness, the reason behind City pursuing the Mexican full-back is because talks between Brighton and the Blues have become ‘complicated’.

Last season, Arteaga was placed within the top 93% of defenders in the top Belgian league for interceptions per game with 2.61 on average.

The 23 year-old also recorded four assists for his club.

Manchester City may want to make this a quick acquisition, but aren’t the only big name club reportedly interested in Arteaga. 

Sposito claims that Brighton, Fulham, Leeds United, Real Betis, Villarreal, Celta Vigo, and Getafe are all interested in the young defender.

Brighton may be interested in Arteaga after learning that Cucurella has the intention of leaving The Seagulls if the right offer was made by the Sky Blues.

If City fall short on both Cucurella and Arteaga, Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo has reportedly been offered to the reigning Premier League Champions.

Grimaldo has made 249 appearances since joining the Portuguese side in 2016, a spell which has seen him help the club to three Premeira Liga titles. 

Additionally, the 26 year-old gained experience in both the Champions League and the Europa League during the six year stint.