Marc CBrighton have ended discussions with Manchester City over the sale of defender Marc Cucurella.

The Spain left-back, 24, handed in a transfer request last week amid interest from City.

The Seagulls had already rejected one bid from City and see £50m as the benchmark - the fee they sold defender Ben White to Arsenal for last summer.

Sources say it would take an exceptional offer to consider a sale as they regard Cucurella a better player.

Pep Guardiola's side are now exploring other options as the fee is deemed too high.

Cucurella had been identified by City as a replacement for Oleksandr Zinchenko, who left the club to join Arsenal this summer.

Brighton feel no need to sell however with midfielder Yves Bissouma having already joined Tottenham this summer in a £25m deal plus add-ons.

Cucurella has a contract until 2026 having only joined Brighton in August 2021.

He has made 35 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring one goal, since joining from Getafe last year in a £15.4m deal.