Manchester City offered chance to sign Alex Grimaldo?

Manchester City have reportedly been provided with the chance to sign Benfica defender Alex Grimaldo.

The Premier League champions have already brought in four fresh faces this summer, including Kalvin Phillips and Erling Braut Haaland from Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

However, despite Nathan Ake remaining at the Etihad Stadium, boss Pep Guardiola is in the market for a new left-back due to the departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The Spaniard confirmed earlier this week that the versatile Ukraine international would be signing for Arsenal once all formalities have been completed.

If reports are to be believed, City and Guardiola have identified Brighton & Hove Albion's Marc Cucurella's as their preferred replacement.

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As it stands, though, it appears that City have little intention of meeting Brighton's asking price, said to be in the region of £50m.

Speaking on the situation, Guardiola said: "We are in negotiations. If it doesn't happen, we have alternatives. [Joao] Cancelo, [Josh] Wilson-Esbrand is a young talent, [Nathan] Ake can play there.

According to The I, City have been asked whether they have any interest in signing Grimaldo before the end of August.

The Spaniard has less than 12 months remaining on his contract at Estadio da Luz and is allegedly available for transfer over the coming weeks.

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Earlier this summer, it was claimed that Arsenal were ready to sign the 26-year-old, who is said to be available for a fee in the region of £6m.

However, with Zinchenko on his way to the Emirates Stadium, any move for Grimaldo has ultimately been scrapped, leaving the club and player to entertain alternatives.

The former Barcelona youth player has contributed 19 goals and 50 assists from 246 appearances since moving to Benfica in 2016.

The report adds that other teams aside from Man City and Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Grimaldo in recent weeks.