Multiple sources involved in the deal have told Sky Sports News that the deal has been agreed in principle. Brighton have since denied a deal has been reached. The Seagulls’ pursuit of Chelsea defender Levi Colwill complicates a move. “Brighton have said, as far as they are concerned, this deal has not yet been agreed with anyone, contrary to many reports from many media outlets,” said Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol. “We should also bear in mind, many people involved in the negotiations and the deal are telling us, and many other media, that they believe a deal has been agreed in principle, that Chelsea are willing to pay £52.5m for him . The player wants to go to Chelsea. As far as they are concerned, he will be a Chelsea player and he has even completed a medical. “But he is a Brighton player and if they say the deal is not done yet, regardless of what other sources involved in the negotiations tell us, the deal is not done yet. “It could also be complicated because Brighton are also interested in signing Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill. I don’t think that deal will be involved in the Cukurella deal, but those are ongoing negotiations in parallel. “A number of sources are still telling us that the player is certain to become a Chelsea player.” The Spaniard handed in a transfer request on Friday in a bid to push through a move to Manchester City, but the Premier League champions were unwilling to pay Brighton’s asking price for the 24-year-old. The Seagulls had previously rejected a £30million bid for the full-back from Pep Guardiola’s side, who are looking for a replacement for Oleksandr Zinchenko after he joined Arsenal. Cucurella enjoyed a hugely successful first season in the Premier League after moving from Getafe in a deal worth around £15m last summer and was named Brighton’s player of the season. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Watch the best of Cucurella in the Premier League Brighton were unwilling to let Koukourela go and it took Chelsea’s huge offer to sell as he had four years left on his contract at the Amex. Image: Cucurella ranked among the Premier League’s top six for tackles and possession recoveries in defensive areas last season, but also contributed significantly higher up the pitch Chelsea moved for Cucurella with left-back Marcos Alonso’s future in doubt, with Barcelona keen to sign the 31-year-old this summer. Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta is also wanted by the Spanish giants with the defender having a year left on his deal. First-choice left-back Ben Chilwell, who joined from Leicester in August 2020 for £50m, missed most of last season with a knee injury but returned to full fitness in pre-season. Thomas Tuchel’s side made two signings this summer with the arrivals of Raheem Sterling for £47.5m from City and defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli in a £33m deal. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says they need to sign high-quality players like Raheem Sterling to challenge for the Premier League.
Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1st? Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumors on our exclusive Transfer Center blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up on the information and analysis on Sky Sports News.
