Chelsea star confirms DISAPPOINTMENT at failed Man City transfer

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has confirmed that he wanted to join Manchester City before his eventual move to Stamford Bridge in August 2022.

The Spain international has established himself as one of Chelsea’s most important players since the appointment of Enzo Maresca, however he was close to completing a move to Pep Guardiola’s side following an excellent debut season at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Man City were eager to bring Cucurella to the club amid their pursuit of a new left-back and Guardiola was determined to finalise a deal for his compatriot. However, they were unwilling to match Brighton’s asking price and promptly left negotiations with the Seagulls.

Chelsea, on the other hand, believed that Cucurella was worthy of a €65.3 million price tag and soon reached an agreement to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

However, the Spaniard endured an extremely difficult first season in west London and he was close to completing a loan move to Manchester United in 2023, with Chelsea eager to offload him.

But, the proposed transfer failed to materialise and Cucurella soon found his feet under Mauricio Pochettino, before blossoming into one of the best left-backs in world football since the arrival of Maresca.

Marc Cucurella admits disappointment at failed Man City transfer

While he is now a mainstay at Chelsea, Cucurella has admitted that he was desperate to join Man City in 2022 after being informed of their interest.

“They [Man City] were on fire and were one of the best teams in the world. I absolutely wanted to go,” the Spain international told Informe+ (via El Desmarque).

“When they come like they did, and when Guardiola asks you to, you go on your knees if necessary. But the clubs couldn’t reach an agreement. Brighton had demands that were out of the market, and it couldn’t be done.”

After withdrawing from the race to sign Cucurella, Man City finalised a deal for Anderlecht left-back Sergio Gomez, who only made 38 appearances for the club before being sold to Real Sociedad in 2024.

Man City academy starlet Nico O’Reilly has been a regular at left-back for the club this term, with summer signing Rayan Ait-Nouri also an option for Guardiola.

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