Brighton have offered for fullback rejected – Seagulls would have to trigger release clause
Brighton & Hove Albion have placed their first official bid for Boca Juniors fullback Valentin Barco, according to claims from Argentina.
ESPN journalist Martin Arevalo reported on Twitter that the offer has already reached the Buenos Aires giants.
It’s said Brighton offered US$9m clear of taxes, with Boca Juniors keeping a percentage of a future transfer.
The Seagulls would also take the player to England only in December, when the South American season would be finished.
However, according to ESPN journalist Augusto Cesar, that offer has already been turned down by Boca Juniors.
The reporter backs up that Brighton’s bid was US$9m, letting the Argentine club keep 15% of a future move.
It’s claimed that Boca Juniors will only let the player go in case his release clause is triggered. According to previous stories, that is US$10m, so the Seagulls are clearly not far from that.
Augusto Cesar also says that both Brighton and Manchester City want to trigger the clause. The problem is that the player wants to continue playing in the Copa Libertadores campaign, as Boca Juniors are currently qualified for the quarter-finals.
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Brighton Transfer News: De Zerbi talks about possible loan of young star
The Argentinian midfielder Facundo Buonanotte had a big impact last season, especially due to Solly March’s injury. In 13 appearances in the Premier League, he scored a goal and gave two assists. This season, March is fit to get back to the position, and the new arrivals Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra are also battling for space on the first team. According to De Zerbi, he would like to keep the 18-year-old, but the arrivals can change his situation on the team.
“Facundo in the last games of the season was important, but March didn’t play, so that can change the situation. I believe in Facundo a lot and I think he can become important, but I can’t give him my word that he will play 50, 40, 30 games. Maybe he wants to play on loan, I don’t know”, said the manager.
The saga continues. After releasing Caicedo and MacAllister and bringing Mo Dahoud and James Milner, Roberto De Zerbi is still on the market, waiting for the perfect midfielder to replace the South Americans. According to the journalist Fabrizio Romano, Brighton made the first bid for Carlos Baleba, Lille’s 19-year-old midfielder. The proposal was €17m plus €3m add-ons, but the French club is waiting for €30m to make it happen. It’s been reported that, despite Brighton, the Camaronese interests clubs like Newcastle, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Liverpool.
Odel Offiah is a 20-year-old right back that can also be used as a central defender from the Youth Team, and Roberto De Zerbi used him a few times last season. This season, the opportunities are expected to be lower because Joel Veltman, James Milner, and Tariq Lamptey are already available. Scottish reports told that Hearts are seeing the youngster as an option, and the head coach Frankie McAvoy said they’ve been watching Offiah. “He is a big, strong, powerful defender who is quick, and he is one we are interested in getting through the door. We like him, and, if we can get him in here, we think he will be a good asset to the squad.” Hearts finished fourth in the Scottish Premier League last season and are battling for a place in the Europa Conference League with Rosenborg.
