City threaten to walk away from Cucurella deal after discovering asking price

The Spaniard is Pep Guardiola’s first choice to replace Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has agreed to join Arsenal after a fee of £32m was agreed with the Gunners.

City submitted an offer of £32m for Cucurella – the precise amount they’ll receive for Zinchenko – but Brighton turned down the bid.

The left-back played 38 times in all competitions for Brighton last term, scoring one and providing two assists.

His comfort in possession and crossing has alerted him to City, who are still without the suspended Benjamin Mendy.

But the Athletic say that City are ready to pull the plug on their interest in Cucurella as Brighton told them they were ‘miles away’ from meeting their valuation for the Spaniard.

The Seagulls want north of £50m for the left-back and the club showed in their talks with Arsenal for Ben White that they are tough negotiators.

Brighton made it clear to Arsenal from the offset that they wanted £50m for the England international and they ended up receiving their asking price when the Gunners caved after a number of rejected bids.

But, though City are willing to raise their offer, they want be held to ransom.

Guardiola says he wants a new left-back but the club will use what they have if Cucurella doesn’t arrive.

‘We are trying [to sign a left-back],’ said Guardiola.

‘If it doesn’t happen we have alternatives in Joao [Cancelo], Josh [Wilson-Esbrand], and Nathan [Ake] can play there.’

MORE : Real Madrid join list of clubs who are not interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Man Utd this summer

For more stories like this, check our sport page.