Marc Cucurella has impressed on the south coast after joining Brighton for 18 million euros from Getafe last season.The 23-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester City this transfer window, and, whilst a move could still happen, it appears there’s little progress on any potential deal.Brighton chairman Tony Bloom has revealed that no bids have been received for the Seagulls’ star defender.Bloom admitted Brighton ‘have to be realistic’ with offers for their players, but that the club ‘haven’t had a bid’ for Cucurella, via The Argus.Brighton discussing new contract with Marc Cucurella amid Man City interest.[David Ornstein] pic.twitter.com/6kl1f4EW64— Transferchanger (@TransferChanger) July 9, 2022 Bloom, however, was adamant that the Spaniard has plenty more to give in a Brighton shirt.’All I can say about Marc is he is a tremendous player, a tremendous person,’ he said.’He is brilliant for the dressing room. The players love him. Graham and the coaching staff love him, I love him, the fans love him.’He was unbelievably good last season, his first season in the Premier League. We are hoping for more to come.’ He has been an almost-ever-present in Graham Potter’s defence, making 38 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring one goal. He went onto win the Seagulls’ Player of the Year award, and his performances have perked the ears of rival clubs.##NAJAVA_MECA_6495754##Bloom did however admit that Cucurella does have a price tag, refusing to rule out the chance of the defender still moving on if the right bid was to come in.’The fact there is speculation and interest in one of our players, I always view that as a positive,’ he said.’There are fewer than three or four clubs where players are not for sale. We’ve got to be realistic and for sure if a certain bid comes in for a player and the player wants to move, the player will move, but we are not anticipating and not looking for our best players to move on.’If we get a bid then we have to consider it, but until that point we carry on, and we are very happy with the squad of players we have got.’Brighton will get their pre-season friendlies underway today with a game behind closed doors against Union St Gillois (a Belgian club held by the same owners), with Cucurella set to feature.Premier League rivals Chelsea were also mentioned as highly interested in the Spaniard but the rumours on the transfer market now link Manchester City exclusively with the footballer.
