Man City transfer news: Arsenal & Newcastle among ‘suitors’ for Marc Cucurella back-up option

As the start of the 2022/23 season draws ever closer, Manchester City’s summer transfer activity appears to be slowing down.

It’s been a busy window for the champions, with the departures of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko offset by the incomings of Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips.

But it looks like there could be one more signing to be completed this window, with the Blues keen to add Marc Cucurella to their ranks.

But what’s the latest reports on that saga, and could Pep Guardiola be forced to look elsewhere for a left-back? We’ve rounded up the most recent transfer stories surrounding City…

Back-up option identified

According to Marca, City have identified Alex Grimaldo as an alternative to Cucurella.

The former has a year remaining on his current contract with Benfica and is valued at around £16.75m (€20m).

However, the Spanish outlet claim Grimaldo has several other suitors, including Newcastle United, Barcelona and Juventus.

Meanwhile, as per the Sun, Arsenal are also interested in the left-back.

Paqueta in demand

City are said to have lined up Lucas Paqueta as a replacement for Bernardo Silva, should the Portugal international leave the champions this summer.

L’Equipe report that Paqueta is keen to leave Lyon following a disappointing 2021/22 campaign that saw the club miss out on European football.

The French newspaper add City and Tottenham Hotspur are the most ‘credible options’ for the Brazilian, although Arsenal and Newcastle are also interested.

L’Equipe also claim that Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is holding out for a club record sale, which would eclipse the £53.8m (€60m) Spurs paid for Tanguy Ndombele in 2019.

What’s the latest with Cucurella?

Reports of City’s pursuit of Cucurella have been thin on the ground in recent days, but it was reported last week by Football Insider that the Brighton & Hove Albion full-back has agreed personal terms with City.

The stumbling block, it seems, is the transfer fee, with BBC Sport reporting a £30m bid was rejected by the Seagulls, who are holding out for a sum closer to £50m.

Meanwhile, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano believes Cucurella is keen to push through a deal which would see him play under Guardiola.

“I am told that the player is not happy,” Romano said on the Here We Go podcast. "The player really wants this move to Manchester City.

"He joined Brighton dreaming of a top English club one day and when Pep Guardiola called him, he only wanted this move to Manchester City."