Brighton tell Marc Cucurella to stay away from first-team training

Cucurella has been linked with a move to Chelsea

Brighton and Hove Albion have told wantaway defender Marc Cucurella to stay away from first-team training amid speculation over a move to Chelsea. The Athletic have reported that manager Graham Potter made the decision in order to minimise any distractions ahead of the Seagulls' opening Premier League game of the season against Manchester United on Sunday. On Wednesday, Brighton were forced to release a statement denying reports that they had agree a deal in excess of £50m with Chelsea for the sale of the Spaniard. They said: "Contrary to inaccurate reports from numerous media outlets this evening, no agreement has been reached with any club to sell Marc Cucurella." https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/1554916787384467463?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1554916787384467463%7Ctwgr%5E90ba4fa9dbe6de8e045437e616f2c9ea3119fada%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fbrighton-deny-claims-that-they-have-agreed-fee-for-marc-cucurella-351998 Further reports suggested that young Blues defender Levi Colwill would be included as part of the deal to take Cucurella to Stamford Bridge, but those are said to be inaccurate, with any transfer involving the 19-year-old expected to be a separate deal. Cucurella handed in a transfer request at the Amex Stadium after first learning of interest from Premier League champions, Manchester City. Although City launched two bids for the 24-year-old, they didn't meet Brighton's valuation and they have since turned their attention to other targets - such as Anderlecht's Sergio Gomez. Chelsea, meanwhile, still remain interested in completing a deal as they look to bolster their backline having already lost Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen, as well as anticipating further departures. Thomas Tuchel's side have made four signings this summer, bringing in Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Gabriel Slonina and Carney Chukwuemeka, but owner Tuchel and owner Todd Boehly are keen to make more additions where possible. The Blues have been recently been linked with Frenkie de Jong and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Barcelona. Related links:

• Brighton deny reports that they have agreed fee for Marc Cucurella
• Gary Neville accuses Chelsea owner Todd Boehly of being ‘naive’
• Barcelona ask Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets to take further pay cuts