Brighton & Hove Albion are closing in on the signing of Club Libertad Asuncion talent Julio Enciso, who could become the ninth Paraguayan star to play in the Premier League so far.
The 18-year-old has caught the attention of the Seagulls and a handful of English top-flight clubs after reaching a new level this year. Jose Chamot handed the forward his senior bow a month after turning 15 in 2019, and Enciso made a steady rise over the following seasons.
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Through 2019, 2020 and 2021, the five-cap senior international scored 10 goals and laid on five assists over 51 appearances. Yet so far in 2022, Enciso has provided 11 goals and three assists from just 17 appearances as the shadow striker in manager Daniel Garnero’s squad.
Brighton closing in on signing Club Libertad Asuncion talent Enciso
Enciso opened the 2022 Primera Division Apertura campaign with a hat-trick at Club 12 de Octubre de Itaugua in February. He has since only failed to find the back of the net in six of the teen’s league games. But the Caaguazu native is still to score in the Copa Libertadores.
Yet Brighton have seen enough potential in the Club Libertad Asuncion talent and are close to signing Enciso this summer. The Athletic report the Seagulls are nearing a £9.5m switch, including add-ons, with negotiations to continue in England next week to finalise his move.
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Enciso will travel with his agent and a representative of Club Libertad after personal terms saw a possible move to Brighton collapse in January. The Amex Stadium hierarchy hope he agrees to pen a five year contract, but the forward would currently favour a four year deal.
Graham Potter will run the rule over Enciso once his transfer is concluded to determine if the youngster is ready for the Premier League or would benefit more from a loan move at first. But any deal for the Paraguayan prospect will see Brighton pip some big competition.
Reports by Cronica claimed Arsenal scouted Enciso in April as the attacker started at Cerro Porteno. Club Libertad Asuncion would lose the match 4-0 for their only defeat of the year so far. The game also followed Enciso scoring four goals over his prior three appearances.
So, as Brighton are now closing in on signing Enciso from Club Libertad Asuncion, with Sky Sports adding the forward should arrive in England with his agent next Tuesday, how have the previous Paraguayans to play in the Premier League fared for him to possibly follow?
Almiron has most Premier League games by Paraguayans for Enciso to follow
Enciso will hope to follow his compatriot Miguel Almiron’s lead with the Newcastle United midfielder boasting the most Premier League appearances by a Paraguayan. The 28-year-old has featured in 110 and started 91 games since joining from Atlanta United for £21m.
Newcastle broke their club record to sign Almiron in January 2019, but the 41-cap maestro has struggled to live up to his price tag. Across his English top-flight appearances, Almiron has only offered nine goals and three assists and did not score through his first 27 outings.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe is now prepared to sell Rafa Benitez’s capture for just £10m, per the Mirror. Reports by The Sun also claim Everton and Fulham are interested in Almiron’s situation this summer as they set about strengthening for the new Premier League season.
Santa Cruz scored most Premier League goals by Paraguayans to inspire Ensico
Roque Santa Cruz boasts the most Premier League goals scored by Paraguayans with 26 in 86 appearances, plus nine assists. The striker offered his best single-season haul during his maiden campaign in the English top-flight with Blackburn Rovers in 2007/08 with 19 in 37.
The Ewood Park outfit paid Bayern Munich £3.8m for the forward in 2007 and would later bank £17m by selling to Manchester City in 2009. The Citizens raided Blackburn after Santa Cruz scored four goals in 20 games in 2008/09, and would only see him strike three in 20.
Wigan offered Alcaraz his Premier League chance in 2010 after Belgium spell
Wigan Athletic offered Antolin Alcaraz his chance to play in the Premier League in 2010 by raiding Club Brugge. The centre-half had spent three years in Belgium to attract the Latics’ interest, with whom his efforts later caught Everton’s eye as they Blues swooped in 2013.
Alcaraz would enjoy 83 appearances in the top-flight during his time in England up to 2015 and joining Las Palmas. Yet only 14 of the defender’s appearances came after he followed Roberto Martinez to Goodison Park, while an injury held him to 10 games during 2012/13.
Balbuena enjoyed English adventure with West Ham from 2018 to 2021
Fabian Balbuena enjoyed his sole adventure on English soil at West Ham United from 2018 to 2021. Manuel Pellegrini signed the centre-half from Brazilian side Corinthians for £6.5m, but he would fall out of favour following David Moyes’ return to the London Stadium helm.
The Irons would eventually release Balbuena at the end of his contract, having only played 20 of a potential 53 Premier League games under Moyes. He had featured 34 times under Pellegrini from 46 available games up until the Irons sacked the Chilean in December 2019.
Sunderland signed Da Silva from Toluca for short Premier League spell
Sunderland signed Paulo da Silva from Mexican outfit Toluca in July 2009, but would rarely rely on the centre-half. The Black Cats would ultimately sell the 150-cap Paraguay enforcer to Real Zaragoza in January 2011, having played 17 and started 13 Premier League fixtures.
Riveros followed Da Silva struggles with Sunderland loan spell
Cristian Riveros followed his compatriot Da Silva’s struggles with Sunderland after moving to the Stadium of Light on loan from Kayserispor for the 2011/12 season. It would prove to be his only spell in England, and returned just 12 Premier League matches with five starts.
Gavilan’s Newcastle nightmare offers Brighton warning as Enciso signing nears
Diego Gavilan endured a nightmare spell with Newcastle from 2000 to 2004, having played in only seven Premier League matches and started in two. The Toon bought the midfielder from Cerro Porteno for £1m as a 19-year-old prodigy, but he failed to make much impact.
Brighton would hope Enciso does not prove to be a repeat of Gavilan as the Seagulls close in on signing the Club Libertad Asuncion talent. Newcastle gave Gavilan chances to prove his worth at St James’ Park before loans to Mexico and Brazil before a permanent farewell.
Iturbe failed to turbo charge Bournemouth attack during Roma loan
Juan Iturbe failed to turbo charge Bournemouth’s attack in the second half of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign. The Cherries loaned the Paraguayan forward from Roma in the winter window, but he would only play twice and never started, scored or assisted a goal.
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