Posted: 20:46, August 1, 2022 | Updated: 22:33, 1 August 2022
Chelsea are close to stealing Manchester City’s move for Mark Cukurella after agreeing to match Brighton’s £50m asking price for the left-back. The Stamford Bridge club are also in talks to sell striker Timo Werner to former club Red Bull Leipzig as they push for a swap deal for centre-back Josko Gvardiol. MailOnline revealed on Monday morning that Chelsea were trying to poach Cucurella after City refused to offer more than £40million for the Spaniard. Chelsea close to signing Marc Cucurella after agreeing to match Brighton’s £50m valuation Talks have accelerated in the last 24 hours with Chelsea also offering young centre-back Levi Colwill as part of the deal and Cucurella is now expected to complete a move to Stamford Bridge, where Thomas Tuchel could use him as a left winger back or to the left of a back three. The 24-year-old handed in a transfer request last week in a bid to force through a move to City and there was a feeling the Barcelona academy graduate had his heart set on working with Pep Guardiola. However, Chelsea were encouraged that Cucurella was interested in their club at the weekend and it is believed that personal terms will not be an issue. His expected arrival will likely see Marcos Alonso get his wish to move to Barcelona. Colwill has long been courted by Brighton who kept a close eye on the 19-year-old during his loan spell at Huddersfield last season. Manchester City were in pole position to land the left-back this summer ahead of the Blues Cucurella joined Brighton from Getafe for £15million last summer alone but has impressed in his first season, attracting interest from City. Sportsmail understands however that there was growing unease on Brighton’s part at the nature of City’s approach. They had refused to negotiate further, on top-ups offered above £35m, unless the £50m plus asking price was met while City had threatened to pull out. Talks with Chelsea have since progressed much more smoothly. Chelsea are working hard to further strengthen their defense and have subsequently delayed a proposed move for Malang Sarr to Fulham until they can acquire more players. Thomas Tuchel could use the Spaniard as a left wing-back or on the left of a back three They have held talks with Inter for Denzel Dumfries and Leicester for £85m Wesley Fofana, including a player offer in return, but Brendan Rodgers insists the centre-back is not for sale. Chelsea had another meeting with Red Bull Leipzig on Sunday and talks continued on Monday night. They are ready to offer Timo Werner back to his former club on loan in a bid to prize struggling defender Josko Gvardiol. Leipzig have been reluctant to allow 20-year-old Croatia international Gvardiol to leave so far, but Chelsea are pushing. Cucurella’s expected arrival will likely see left-back Marcos Alonso leave for Barcelona Chelsea defender Levi Colwill has been mooted as part of the Cucurella deal with the Seagulls. Leipzig are open to re-signing Werner on loan or permanently, while Juventus remain interested in a loan move. Tuchel appears open to allowing the 26-year-old, who cost Chelsea £47.5m, to leave and a return to Leipzig would suit all parties if Guardiol is included. Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is discussing a loan move to Napoli, so Chelsea are likely to add another goalkeeper on a short-term deal. Gabriel Slonina, a £12million signing from Chicago Fire, will be loaned out again as the 18-year-old is seen as one for the future.
