Manchester City are expected to advance in their pursuit of Brighton defender Marc Cucurella in the coming weeks, according to reports.
The Premier League champions are eyeing a swoop for the Spanish full-back as Oleksandr Zinchenko's future at the Etihad Stadium remains uncertain amid interest from Everton.
City have already added Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to their ranks ahead of the new campaign and reached an agreement with Leeds to sign Kalvin Phillips at the weekend.
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Brighton's Marc Cucurella is widely believed to be Pep Guardiola's main target at left-back this summer, with the Manchester City manager looking to strengthen an position that needs addressing to challenge on all fronts next season.
The 23-year-old joined the Seagulls from Getafe last summer and enjoyed a stellar debut season at the Amex Stadium, scoring once and providing three assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.
Manchester City have registered their interest in the left-back, who is understood to be excited by the prospect of working with Pep Guardiola and competing for major trophies.
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Gabriel Jesus looks set to be confirmed as an Arsenal player this week, with Chelsea set to make an improved bid for Raheem Sterling amid talks between club representatives.
City are looking to get as much transfer business sorted as possible before Guardiola jets off with his side to the United States for pre-season in July.
Amidst potential departures in attack coming in the weeks to follow, Manchester City fans can expect some movement from the Premier League champions in their bid to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton.
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Speaking on the latest episode of The Athletic's 'Why Always Us' podcast this week, Pol Ballus said: "I’m expecting something this week (on Manchester City and Marc Cucurella).
"It’s one of the things on my list to be on top of this week. As far as I know, there’s not a new breakthrough so far."
With four years left on Cucurella's current contract at Brighton, the Seagulls will seek a substantial fee for the left-back, who recently sent Manchester City fans wild by engaging with social media posts linking him with a move to the Etihad Stadium.
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Ballus added: "The big interest (from Manchester City) is still there. I know all the parts, including the player’s camp, City are pushing in that process just to pull off the signing like every signing requires.
"I’d say that probably we should expect an ending, like what happened with (Kalvin) Phillips and Gabriel Jesus - an agreement with one player coming in, and an agreement with one player coming out."
With Cucurella being targeted as City's final first-team signing of the summer, the door could be left open for Oleksandr Zinchenko to seek an exit for improved game time.
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"In this case, the normal thing or the planned thing would be that (Oleksandr) Zinchenko is the player coming out, because that would leave a gap for (Marc) Cucurella to fill in," Ballus said.
"I think that this week and the next one are going to be key for (Marc) Cucurella to see if it’s happening or not - which I think is going to happen.”
Topics: Brighton And Hove Albion, Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Marc Cucurella, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Transfers, Football
Vayam Lahoti