Marc Cucurella: Manchester City's £30m Bid For Brighton Left-Back Rejected

Brighton have rejected a £30m bid for Marc Cucurella from Manchester City.

The bid falls well short of Brighton's valuation of the player, which is understood to be £50m.

Sky Sports News can confirm Brighton have rejected the Premier League champions' first offer for the player.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful first season in the Premier League after joining from Getafe in a deal worth around £15m last summer.

Manchester City are looking to defend their Premier League title by strengthening in other areas after the arrival of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

Brighton do not want to let Cucurella leave. It would take a huge offer for them to sell as he has four years remaining on his contract at the Amex.

Jamie Carragher says Man City have lacked an "outstanding" left-back during Pep Guardiola's time in charge but that Cucurella would provide healthy competition should he move to the Etihad.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the former Liverpool defender said:

"I think Man City have always - really since Pep's been there - lacked a real outstanding left-back. It was always the position where they've had sort of different players at different times.

"You're never quite sure who plays there every week, where you know it's Kyle Walker playing right-back. [Joao] Cancelo's gone in there and been as good as anyone really but I'm sure Pep would like a left-footer there.

"Zinchenko's moved onto Arsenal so when you ask 'is he worth it,' Man City normally spend £40-50m on full-backs. They've done that notoriously since Pep came and like any transfer and what you pay - if you play well you think he's worth it.

"He looks a classy operator when you see him in a Brighton shirt. He plays a similar type of football to Manchester City in possession, so I'm sure he'll be a good signing.

"It's something that Man City possibly need now with Zinchenko moving on and having a bit more competition for Cancelo, who can then provide competition on the other side for Walker."

Analysis: Why are Manchester City chasing Cucurella?

Sky Sports' Ron Walker:

Since Benjamin Mendy was arrested last summer, Manchester City have operated without a natural left-back. Zinchenko has filled in manfully for a number of years now. Cancelo made the position his own last season — to the point where he was named in the PFA Team of the Year by his peers.

Zinchenko is now on the verge of joining Arsenal. While Cancelo has the versatility to play on either side of defence, more depth is a natural requirement for the club.

Cucurella has adapted to the Premier League with ease.

He was named Brighton's Player of the Season for 2021/22, a campaign in which they achieved their highest-ever league finish.

Manchester City kick off their Premier League title defence with a visit to West Ham on Sunday August 7, with the game live on Sky Sports.

The first Manchester derby of the season is at the Etihad on October 1, before City travel to title rivals Liverpool on October 15.

The champions' final game before the season takes a break for the winter World Cup is at home to Brentford on November 12 and when the campaign resumes, they face Leeds at Elland Road on Boxing Day.

City have a tough start to 2023 with tricky-looking back-to-back clashes at Chelsea and Manchester United on January 2 and 14 respectively.

As the campaign draws to a close, Pep Guardiola's side have their return meeting with Liverpool, at the Etihad, on April 1 and then host Chelsea on May 20, before concluding at Brentford on May 28.