Graham Potter has his say on Man City interest in Brighton defender Marc Cucurella

Graham Potter has been speaking about Brighton star Marc Cucurella as Manchester City continue to target his signature. Pep Guardiola wants to sign a new left-back this summer and Cucurella has already been identified as a priority option for the champions.

Despite winning a fourth Premier League title in five seasons, Guardiola opted to freshen up his star-studded team with Kalvin Phillips and Erling Haaland among those to sign. City have also sanctioned moves for Stefan Ortega as a back-up goalkeeper and Julian Alvarez.

Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus have both departed - for Chelsea and Arsenal, respectively - with Oleksandr Zinchenko expected to follow Jesus to the Emirates Stadium. City were already in the market for Cucurella before that transfer development.

READ MORE: Zinchenko edges closer to transfer

Cucurella, 23, arrived at the Amex Stadium from Getafe last summer and made 35 appearances for Brighton during his debut season in the Premier League. He earned rave reviews for his performances, but his manager on the south coast says mounting speculation has not distracted the player.

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom revealed this month that no bids have been received. Cucurella and his teammates are currently away with the Seagulls on their pre-season training camp in Portugal.

Potter told Sky Sports: "He has trained really, really well and he is a well-liked member of the group. Everyone loves him. He has trained and played as normal.

"It is part of being a footballer that you have to deal with the speculation that is out there - and that is nothing that you control. He has been a top professional."

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