---
title: "Man City: Blues ‘main bidders’ for target with Pep ‘surprised’"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/man-city-blues-main-bidders-for-target-with-pep-surprised/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Manchester City News"
published: "2022-05-22T08:10:24Z"
modified: "2022-05-22T08:10:24Z"
---

# Man City: Blues ‘main bidders’ for target with Pep ‘surprised’

**According to reports out of Spain, [Manchester City](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/) are ‘main bidders’ to sign a transfer target who has left Pep Guardiola ‘pleasantly surprised’.**

### The Lowdown: Big Sunday…

The [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) champions, taking on Aston Villa at Eastlands this afternoon, are looking to retain their crown and beat arch rivals Liverpool to the punch as a nervy final day awaits.

[Man City latest developments!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/man-city-latest-developments-3/)

As a huge Sunday lies is in store for Blues and one which may well define the entirety of 2021/2022, but behind-the-scenes, City officials are already at work on how best to prepare for next year regardless of what happens today.

Guardiola, after completing a deal to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, now wants to bring in a[new left-back and midfielder](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/18/manchester-city-make-brighton-left-back-marc-cucurella-a-summer-transfer-target-guardiola) to succeed the departing Fernandinho.

Brighton defender Marc Cucurella, author of a fine season at the Amex, has emerged as a target recently.

### The Latest: Spanish source makes claim…

According to [Spanish sources](https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/grandes-clubes-premier-league-quieren-fichar-marc-cucurella-20220520.html), City are indeed eyeing a move for the 23-year-old as they become ‘main bidders’ to sign him from The Seagulls – who could charge around €30 million (£25m) for his signature.

Alongside Chelsea, it is believed the English champions are vying to sign Cucurella – coming as Guardiola has been left stunned by the former Barcelona starlet’s brilliant form.

### The Verdict: Get it done…

The Spaniard, even earning call-ups to the national team [in recent years](https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2020/11/12/5fad17b3ca47411b398b4588.html), has been a revelation under Graham Potter over this campaign.

According to [WhoScored,](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/211/Show/England-Brighton) Cucurella has ranked in as Brighton’s joint-third best performer by average match rating with a solid 6.92/10 – even tearing City’s arch rivals Man United ‘[apart](https://www.footballinsider247.com/man-united-told-to-spend-whatever-it-takes-to-sign-marc-cucurella-after-he-tore-them-apart/)‘ in recent weeks.

Lavished for his ‘phenomenal’ form since leaving Barca by[members of the media](https://twitter.com/davidjaca/status/1429773671451791370), it’s hardly surprising Guardiola’s head has been well and truly turned.

***In other news: Man City officials travel to club as Pep and Txiki agree on perfect signing, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-transfer-rumours/man-city-transfer-rumours-leeds-united-phillips-guardiola-txiki-mcfc-latest/)***