EPL

Guardiola confirms Cucurella talks

By Sports Desk July 21, 2022
Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City are in talks with Brighton and Hove Albion over a move for Marc Cucurella.   Left-back Cucurella has emerged as a target for the Premier League champions, with Oleksandr Zinchenko on his way to Arsenal.   Brighton have reportedly rejected an offer of £30million from City for the Spanish left-back, as the Seagulls are holding out for a fee of £50m.   City boss Guardiola suggested he may miss out on his compatriot due to the asking price, but says he is not short of options in that position.   He said: "We are in negotiations. If it doesn't happen, we've alternatives… Cancelo, [Josh] Wilson-Esbrand is a young talent, [Nathan] Ake can play there.”   Big-money signing Erling Haaland played no part in City's 2-1 friendly win over Club America last time out, but Guardiola says the striker is fit to face Bayern Munich on Saturday.   "Next game he will be ready," Guardiola said of the Norway international. "He had niggles and a few problems.   "We'll see. He's trained just two sessions and we didn't want to take risks. The season is so long. He had problems last season and tried to handle it. We want to take care of him and want him fit."

Kevin De Bruyne scored both goals in City's first match of their pre-season tour of the United States.

Guardiola handed debuts to Julian Alvarez, Stefan Ortega and Kalvin Phillips at Houston's NRG Stadium, with Haaland an unused substitute.

 

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