Brighton & Hove Albion deny agreement with Chelsea to sell Marc Cucurella

The 24-year-old had been strongly linked with a move to Manchester City earlier in the window, with the Citizens allegedly prepared to pay as much as £40m for the Spaniard.

However, talks with the Seagulls over a possible deal for Cucurella are believed to have come to an end, as the Premier League champions are unwilling to meet Brighton's asking price which is thought to be in excess of £50m.

Chelsea now appear to have moved to the front of the queue in the race to sign Cucurella, who only moved to the South Coast last summer from Getafe for around £15.4m.

Several reports in the media on Wednesday claim that Brighton have reached an agreement with Chelsea to sell the left-back for a fee in excess of £50m, with young defender Levi Colwill moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

However, Brighton have confirmed on their official website and social media platforms that reports in the media are "inaccurate".

A short statement read: "Contrary to inaccurate reports from numerous media outlets this evening, no agreement has been reached with any club to sell Marc Cucurella."

Last Friday - prior to reports of Chelsea emerging as the frontrunners to sign Cucurella - the left-back was understood to have handed in a transfer request at Brighton after discovering that Man City were interested in his services.

Cucurella subsequently missed Brighton's 5-1 pre-season victory at home to Espanyol last Saturday, although manage Graham Potter stated that his absence was due to injury.

"He had a feeling in his calf this week so I didn't think it was the right thing to risk him today. We'll see for next week," Potter told reporters, via The Argus, after the match.

When asked whether Cucurella would have received an unsavoury reception from supporters had he played, amid links with leaving the club, Potter added: "I don't think people would do that. I think people have a nice feeling for Marc.

"They understand the speculation and things that happens when the transfer window is open. There is not too much to say. It is just part of modern-day football.

"We are confident and relaxed in our position and we just look forward to the season starting and preparing the team."

Brighton - who have already sold Yves Bissouma to Tottenham Hotspur this summer - are under no pressure to sell Cucurella, who still has four years remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium.

It remains to be seen whether the left-back will be involved in Potter's squad for their opening Premier League game of the new season away at Manchester United on August 7.