Man City step up their interest in Brighton defender Marc Cucurella

Manchester City are still plotting a swoop for Brighton defender Marc Cucurella but only at the right price.

The highly-rated Brighton defender has been subject of speculation of a move to the Etihad Stadium this summer but as yet, City have been unable to make a breakthrough with the Seagulls for the Spaniard.

City are looking to offer around £35m for Cucurella as they believe his £50m valuation is too high.

Brighton have no desire to sell the 23-year-old but Cucurella is keen to join City if the clubs can thrash out a deal.

Should the Premier League champions be unsuccessful in their attempts to lure Cucurella then Stuttgart's Borna Sosa is another option for City following the imminent departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal.

According to BILD, City are keeping tabs on the Croatian international who joined the Bundesliga side from Dinamo Zagreb in 2018.

The report says Stuttgart are ready to cash in on their prized asset and are willing to accept offers of around £21m for the left-back.

But City face stiff competition for the 24-year-old with both Bayern Munich and Barcelona showing interest in him.

As it stands, Pep Guardiola's men have just one recognised left-back in Joao Cancelo and the Spanish manager is keen to bolster his left-sided options ahead of the upcoming season.

It has been a summer of upheaval at the Etihad Stadium with both Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling departing for Arsenal and Chelsea respectively.

The Citizens have bolstered their attack with the acquisition of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and Leeds United Midfielder Kalvin Phillips as they search for a third-successive Premier League crown.