Premier League clubs are in talks with Monaco defender Layvin Kurzawa.
French media reports claimed Kurzawa was in Manchester last year to discuss a transfer to City, as the Manchester club took on German biggies Bayern Munich in the Champions League
However, the player who reportedly watched the game in a Manchester hotel rather than in the Etihad Stadium in order to avoid being seen, said he and City have never held talks and regrets the fact that he came to Manchester to watch the game and speculation about his future would naturally have risen.
“I don’t have to justify myself, but I did not go there to meet officials from Manchester City, and they have also confirmed that,” Kurzawa said.
“There was nothing with that club. I didn’t react so as to not make the situation worse, but I assure you it is true.”
“I should never have gone up there,” he added. “When you’re a player people are talking about, you can’t show yourself in any old city or any stadium of a big club. It was a mistake, but [the trip] was not to meet them.”
Kurzawa signed a five-year contract extension until 2018 with Monaco in September 2013.
The left back is the epitome of a modern day full back. Having been deployed as an attacking midfielder in his youth days, him being an attack-minded is pretty obvious to any who watch him. He bags a goal or assist and creates attacking chances for the team pretty regularly. Crossing ability is one of the most important requirements in a full back and Kurzawa is good with them and also possesses intelligent vision and movement in the final third. He is very fast and he gives a lot of attacking advantage on the flanks. He is good with interceptions and can also make a clean tackle. He understands his defensive duties, but clearly enjoys to attack and is often found too high up the pitch to retract in time.
The player has been since linked with Premier League giants Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Kurzawa has appeared 17 times for Monaco in the league this season and is an important member of the squad. He made his international debut for France on 14 November 2014, as he replaced Lucas Digne for the last 20 minutes of a friendly draw with Albania. Four days hence, he made his first start, against Sweden in another friendly.
Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi was reported to have been watching Monaco left back Layvin Kurzawa in December. Liverpool and Chelsea have also been linked with the player while links with Manchester City, especially after the player’s visit to the city were obviously extremely strong.
Top Image Coutesy www.pariskop.fr
