MANCHESTER City manager Pep Guardiola has refused to comment on reports linking his side with Marc Cucurella.

The Brighton and Hove Albion left-back has reportedly handed in a transfer request at the Amex stadium.

Manchester City have been linked with the Spanish defender throughout the summer transfer window.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield against Liverpool, Guardiola said: “He’s a Brighton player, I cannot say anything else.”

Guardiola did admit, however, that left-back is an area where the club are looking to strengthen.

Following the departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, Joao Cancelo is currently the only senior option in the position.

Guardiola said: “If it’s possible, yes. If it’s not, we stay with what we have.”

The manager also confirmed central defender Aymeric Laporte will miss the start of the season after undergoing a knee operation in the summer.

Guardiola said: “Laporte is injured. He had knee surgery after last season, playing the last two or three games with an important injury. He made an incredible effort.

“So far he is doing really well but you have to be careful with a knee. I think August he will be out, September I think maybe he will start to be with us.”