Chelsea set to bag Cucurella for £50m

BLUES BID GAZUMPS CITY

CHELSEA are close to hijacking Manchester City’s move for Marc Cucurella after agreeing to meet Brighton’s £50million asking price for the left back.

The Blues are also locked in talks to sell forward Timo Werner to former club RB Leipzig as they push for a swap deal involving centre back Josko Gvardiol.

Chelsea made their move for Cucurella after City refused to offer more than £40m for the Spaniard.

Talks have accelerated over the past 24 hours with Chelsea also proposing young centre back Levi Colwill as part of the deal.

It is now expected that Cucurella will complete a switch to Stamford Bridge, where Thomas Tuchel could use him as a left wing-back or on the left of a back three.

The 24-year-old handed in a transfer request last week in a bid to force through a move to City and there was a feeling the Barcelona academy graduate had his heart set on working with Pep Guardiola.

However, Chelsea were given encouragement that Cucurella was interested over the weekend and it is thought personal terms will not be an issue. His anticipated arrival will likely see Marcos Alonso get his wish of a move to Barcelona.

Cucurella (right) only joined Brighton from Getafe for £15m last summer but impressed during his debut season, prompting the interest from champions City.

There was annoyance on Brighton’s part at the nature of City’s approach. They had refused to negotiate further unless their £50m-plus asking price was met. Talks with Chelsea have since progressed far more smoothly.

Chelsea are working hard to bolster their defence and have subsequently delayed a proposed move for Malang Sarr to Fulham until they sign more players.

They have held talks with Inter Milan over Denzel Dumfries and with Leicester over £85m-rated Wesley Fofana, including offering players in return, but Brendan Rodgers insists the centre back is not for sale.

Meanwhile, Chelsea held another meeting with Leipzig on Sunday and talks were continuing last night. They are prepared to offer Werner back to his former club on loan in a bid to prise away combative defender Gvardiol.

Leipzig have not been receptive to allowing 20- year- old Croatia international Gvardiol to leave so far but Chelsea are pushing.

Leipzig are open to re- signing Werner on loan or a permanent deal while Juventus remain interested in a loan.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is discussing his loan move to Napoli so Chelsea will likely add another keeper on a short term deal. Gabriel Slonina, 18, who

has been signed for £12m from Chicago Fire, will be loaned back as he is seen as one for

the future.