'Inaccurate' - Brighton issue strongly-worded statement on '£52.5m' Marc Cucurella to Chelsea reports
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Several outlets have reported that the 24-year-old is set to move to West London in a deal worth £52.5m.
The reports have also stated that Chelsea academy star Levi Colwill will join Albion as part of the move.
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Hide AdItalian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who also claimed that Manchester City had tied up a move for Cucurella earlier in the transfer window, tweeted that the defender’s move to the Blues was ‘done’ and that the Spaniard had signed a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “Marc Cucurella to Chelsea, here we go! Full agreement in place between Chelsea and Brighton for more than £50m. Levi Colwill on the verge of joining Brighton soon. #CFC
“Personal terms already agreed, no way for Man City. Cucurella will become Chelsea new signing, done.”
Romano later tweeted: “Marc Cucurella will be in London on Thursday [August 4] morning together with his agents: Chelsea have already booked medical tests then contract until June 2028 will be signed. #CFC
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Hide Ad“Fee will be £52.5m for Cucurella and then Brighton will buy Levi Colwill in a separated deal.”
But Albion moved quickly to quash rumours that Cucurella was on the move by releasing a statement on Wednesday [August 3] evening.
The statement said: “Contrary to inaccurate reports from numerous media outlets this evening, no agreement has been reached with any club to sell Marc Cucurella.”
Cucurella was previously a target for Man City but talks broke down due to the Premier League title holders’ reluctance to meets Brighton’s asking price of £50m.
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Hide AdPep Guardiola’s side were reportedly willing to pay up to £40m for the 24-year-old, but that was the Cityzens’ upper-limit for the deal.
The champions had already seen a £30m bid for the Spaniard flatly rejected by the Seagulls.
Cucurella handed in a transfer request on Friday, and missed Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Espanyol, but this has not changed Brighton’s stance on their valuation of the player.
Albion are hopeful of securing a deal equivalent to that of Ben White’s move to Arsenal.
Cucurella made 35 appearances for Brighton last season, following his £15m move from Getafe, and was named the Seagulls’ player of the season.