The Manchester City transfer decision that could boost Brighton amid Marc Cucurella links

Brighton & Hove Albion have been handed a boost in their battle to keep Marc Cucurella at the club this summer.

Manchester City have reportedly identified Cucurella as their first-choice left back target ahead of the start of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign. The Spaniard had a debut season in England to remember after helping the Seagulls finish ninth in the division.

His performances down the left flank for Graham Potter's side saw him take home not only the players' player of the year award but the player of the year award as well. And his exploits against the top sides England has to offer has not gone unnoticed, with Pep Guardiola wanting to sign the 22-year-old.

Brighton have reportedly put a £50million price tag on Cucurella and no official bid has yet been tabled by the reigning Premier League champions, with reports claiming the fee is too high after already bringing in Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips to the Etihad this summer.

This in turn has reportedly seen City turn their attention towards Stuttgart left back Borna Sosa, who is valued between €20million (£17million) and €25million (£21.2million) according to German media outlet Bild, via GGFN. The Croatian international is also wanted by Bayern Munich and Barcelona, having once been a target for Premier League clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Brighton have maintained their stance throughout the summer that Cucurella is not for sale and this latest development suggests that the Premier League champions may turn their attentions elsewhere, which would be good news for the Seagulls.