Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly interested in signing Argentina international and 2022 FIFA World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul, though the Seagulls already face competition from Tottenham.
According to CalcioMercato, Roberto De Zerbi is a big fan of the Atletico Madrid midfielder, who alongside Brighton’s own Alexis Mac Allister played a huge role in Argentina winning their third-ever World Cup last year in Qatar.
The 28-year-old midfielder featured in every match for Argentina. And although De Paul was crucial in the South American nation’s path to winning the World Cup, fortunes at club level have not been as kind, with Atletico open to selling the former Udinese star this January.
As per the report, €30m (£25m) could be enough to secure De Paul’s signature this winter, with the midfielder failing to adapt to Atletico’s style of play as well as the culture of La Liga. And Brighton are now interested in signing the World Cup champion, though Tottenham are also in the race.
TuttoMercatoWeb have reported that the north London side are keen on De Paul, and after the midfielder’s performances out in Qatar and Atletico’s stance on the Argentine, there’s every chance that the 28-year-old will leave Madrid this month, though Brighton could now feel confident in landing the Argentine.
Indeed, the Seagulls will have funds available to make signings in January following a profitable summer that saw the likes of Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma leave for big fees. And with Atletico open to selling De Paul, Brighton could make a statement this January in signing the midfielder.
Brighton signing De Paul would be a turning point for the Seagulls
Brighton’s reputation as one of the best-buying clubs in all of Europe can’t be understated, with the Seagulls turning players such as the aforementioned Cucurella and now potentially Mac Allister into money-making machines. Yet signing De Paul would be on another level for the south coast side.
After all, De Paul is firmly in his prime and has the potential to make an immediate impact on Brighton’s squad, and beating the likes of Tottenham to the midfielder’s signature would be a huge statement from the Premier League side, who look like they’re going places.
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