Man City target Marc Cucurella 'wants to play' for Pep Guardiola and more transfer rumours

Manchester City have received a positive update on their pursuit of Marc Cucurella after reports emerged that the player 'wants to play' for Pep Guardiola.

The news comes from Spanish outlet Sport (via Sport Witness ) who report that the City are set to make an improved bid for the player. They state that Cucurella is not happy with the £50m asking-price that his club have put on him and that a 'tug-of-war' is set to ensue between the two clubs.

The south coast side are believed to be determined to wait for City stump up the cash for the deal, especially after the transfer of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal. Brighton are in a strong negotiating position as they know City have just received the transfer fee for Zinchenko and have an alarming lack of cover at left-back.

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Elsewhere, Arsenal's technical director has issued a 'hands off' warning to clubs in their pursuit of Bukayo Saka, with City among those linked.

Speaking to Football.London, Edu was discussing the North London club's transfer business this summer and categorically denied that Saka would be leaving the club this window. The former Arsenal player said "that's not going to happen" when talking about the possibility of the winger leaving the club.

It is believed that Arsenal have accelerated contract negotiations with Saka following reports that City may be interested, although the MEN understand he's not a priority target. With the departures of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, City have been linked with several wide players.

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