Brighton have turned their attention to Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares ahead of Marc Cucurella’s potential departure for Manchester City this summer, according to reports.
Following the sale of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, a deal that is completed save the official announcement, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are expected to look to replace him with Brighton’s player of the year Cucurella, whom the Seagulls are demanding £50m for.
It is unclear whether they will in fact receive that fee, with the Cityzens unwilling to pay that sum, however all signs point to a deal eventually being struck between the two clubs, and City making Cucurella their fourth signing of the summer.
Excl: Manchester City are finally set to open official talks with Brighton for Marc Cucurella, bid is coming – full verbal agreement almost reached on personal terms. 🚨🔵 #MCFC
Cucurella, always been Pep’s priority this summer and City will now push after selling Zinchenko. pic.twitter.com/pVBhTWNBVB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2022
Brighton to turn to Tavares
In turn, should the Seagulls lose Cucurella to Manchester City this summer, they will reportedly turn to Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares to fill the gap in their defence.
Signed from Benfica last summer, Tavares enjoyed a mixed campaign last time out, showing signs of quality but also plenty of inexperience that would need to be ironed out.
🚨 Brighton have turned to Nuno Tavares as their successor to Manchester City bound left-back Marc Cucurella & want to sign him on a season-long loan. Although Marseille remain interested, the ‘strongest possibility’ at this time is Brighton. [@ojogo] #afc https://t.co/bzwnD0b1gG
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 20, 2022
With Zinchenko making the switch to north London, a loan to the South Coast would be a major benefit to all parties. Tavares would be offered regular football, Brighton would get another talented young defender, while Arsenal would see their talent grow and test himself on a regular basis in the top flight.
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