Man City have £30m Marc Cucurella transfer bid REJECTED by Brighton as they seek Oleksandr Zinchenko replacement
MANCHESTER CITY's hopes replacing Arsenal-bound Oleksandr Zinchenko with Brighton defender Marc Cucurella have taken a huge hit.
Zinchenko's on the brink of completing a £30million move to the Gunners.
SunSport revealed that the Ukrainian left-back jetted to Orlando to join the Arsenal squad on their pre-season tour and undergo a medical on Tuesday.
Zinchenko follows fellow former City star Gabriel Jesus to the Emirates this summer.
The full-back's departure creates a void at the back that City boss Pep Guardiola reckons Cucurella can fill.
Cucurella played a pivotal role in helping the Seagulls secure a top ten finish in the Premier League last season.
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And Pep thinks he can help City consolidate their power in the Prem in the upcoming campaign.
But the Premier League Champions' latest bid of £30million for Cucurella has been rejected by the Seagulls, The Athletic's correspondent Andy Naylor.
The two clubs are at loggerheads over Cucurella's valuation, with Brighton wanting £50m for the 23-year-old.
It remains to be seen if the Cityzens will increase their offer for the Spaniard.
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But City fans can rest assured if the Manchester titans decide not to meet Brighton's valuation for Cucurella, as Pep already has alternative options in mind.
City could turn to Nathan Ake, Joao Cancelo, or starlet Josh Wilson-Esbrand to occupy the role in Zinchenko's absence, he revealed.
The Spaniard said, via Fabrizio , when asked about the Brighton ace: "We are in negotiations.
"If it doesn't happen, we’ve alternatives… Cancelo, Wilson-Esbrand is a young talent. Ake can play there."
Things could of been different just last week if Chelsea landed long-term target Ake.
But he's now set to remain at The Etihad after the Blues failed to meet City's £50m asking price for the versatile defender.