Pep Guardiola gives update on Marc Cucurella chase as Man City suffer major Aymeric Laporte injury blow

29.07.2022 - 22:29 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Here are your Manchester City evening headlines on Friday, July 22.

Pep Guardiola gives update on Man City pursuit of Marc Cucurella amid transfer request reports

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City intend to strengthen at left-back as they continue to try to sign Marc Cucurella.

Cucurella wants to leave Brighton and it was reported on Friday that he has handed in a transfer request in order to try and push the move through. However, the clubs still remain apart in their valuation of the player and City have lined up alternatives including Stuttgart defender Borna Sosa if Brighton will not budge.

Guardiola was tight-lipped on City's attempts to sign Cucurella but did say that they are looking to sign a player in that area. However, he cited Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Nathan Ake as alternatives to Joao Cancelo in that position if the club cannot land anybody in the remaining weeks of the window.

Read more from Pep Guardiola here

Aymeric Laporte injury blow for Man City confirmed by Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola expects Aymeric Laporte to be out until at least September after having surgery during the summer.

Laporte battled through injury during the final weeks of the 2021/22 campaign with the team light on options, unexpectedly starting the penultimate game against West Ham after taking a serious knock days earlier at Wolves before playing again in the final match of the season against Aston Villa.

City's Spanish defender had surgery on the issues in the summer but was unable to go on the pre-season tour with the Blues as he works his way back to fitness and will not be able to participate in the opening weeks of the season either. Guardiola hopes that the player will return in September if his rehabilitation continues to go