Euro Paper Talk: Brighton ‘burn’ Man Utd competition for next Moises Caicedo as De Zerbi plots latest masterstroke; Arsenal leading Dortmund in charge for ‘complete player’
Manchester United could lose out on an exciting midfield signing to Brighton as the Seagulls are planning a Moises Caicedo repeat, Arsenal are ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the race for a ‘complete’ star, while Tuesday’s Euro Paper Talk includes an agent revealing Leeds’ best player ‘will stay’ at Elland Road.
BRIGHTON TO FRUSTRATE MAN UTD AGAIN
Brighton are aiming to get the better of Man Utd again as the two Premier League clubs hunt a highly rated Serie A midfielder, according to reports.
Man Utd were heavily linked with Moises Caicedo amid his rapid rise in South America with Independiente. The Red Devils had the opportunity to sign him for a very low price after sending scouts to watch him in action.
However, Brighton beat Man Utd to the punch as they captured the midfielder in February 2021. According to Sky Sports, Brighton only had to pay £4.5million to sign Caicedo.
It has proven to be a brilliant transfer as Caicedo has gone on to become a top Premier League performer. And he could leave the Amex for upwards of £70m this summer, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool interested in his services.
And Sassuolo star Davide Frattesi could follow in the Ecuadorian’s footsteps, both in terms of frustrating Man Utd and developing hugely at Brighton.
In March, Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport revealed how Man Utd had ‘regularly scouted’ Frattesi. But as per the latest information from Tutto Juve, his potential suitors Man Utd and Juventus are at serious risk of losing out to Brighton.
The Seagulls are trying to ‘burn the competition’ for the 23-year-old. They are ‘ready’ to bid €40m (£35m) to try and reach an agreement with Sassuolo.
Brighton know Juve do not have the funds to match this offer. And while Man Utd like Frattesi, they do not value him at £35m, which means Brighton could soon put themselves in pole position to complete the deal.
Brighton now have funds to challenge major teams
Despite not being one of the biggest clubs in England, Brighton can afford to spend such money on Frattesi after selling the likes of Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma and Leandro Trossard for big money in the last 12 months.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is pushing the club to bring in Frattesi. He knows the Italy international well from his time at Sassuolo and believes he would be a great addition to the team.
Man Utd cannot afford to let Frattesi go to Brighton. They missed out on Caicedo and Brighton have since developed him into a top-class star who will be very expensive for Erik ten Hag’s side to land now.
The same will likely happen with Frattesi. While he could cost Brighton far more than Caicedo, he will probably still make them a big profit in a few years’ time after going up a level under De Zerbi.
It would be fascinating to see which club the Rome-born ace chooses to join if both Man Utd and Brighton managed to strike an agreement with Sassuolo. Of course, the lure of Man Utd is always hard to turn down, while they are also on the up thanks to Ten Hag.
However, Brighton have shown in recent years that they can be the best destination for developing young talents into truly brilliant players. And they are used to selling them on after that, so Frattesi could end up joining one of the best teams in Europe if he opts to excel at Brighton first.
ARSENAL RIVALLING DORTMUND FOR SPANISH STAR
Arsenal are ‘pushing’ to try and beat Borussia Dortmund to the capture of Real Valladolid wonderkid Ivan Fresneda. The Gunners are in a good position to win the chase as they have more money available than Dortmund. (Bild)
Although, Newcastle have identified Fresneda as the perfect right-back successor to Kieran Trippier, with the La Liga star labelled a ‘complete player’. (various)
Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho has surprisingly appeared on Inter Milan’s radar. Iheanacho will ‘immediately say goodbye’ to Leicester if they are relegated from the Premier League. (Inter Live)
Iheanacho may follow Foxes team-mate Youri Tielemans to Italy. Jose Mourinho’s Roma are determined to sign the midfielder ahead of his Premier League suitors. (Rete Sport)
Brentford talisman Ivan Toney, who has been linked with a move to either Man Utd or Arsenal, will consider joining a top club this summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, who is currently on loan at Bayern, is Barcelona’s ‘favourite’ option as they aim to solve their right-back problems. (Sport)
Chelsea have spoken with Jose Mourinho over a potential reunion but the Portuguese is happy to stay at Roma. (Corriere dello Sport)
LEEDS STAR WILL STAY PUT, SAYS AGENT
The representative of Leeds’ most exciting forward, Willy Gnonto, thinks ‘he’ll stay’ at Elland Road amid interest from some big Italian sides. (Calciomercato)
Man Utd and Chelsea-linked goalkeeper Andre Onana has met with Inter officials to discuss his future. The Serie A giants will sell him if an offer worth €45m (£39.5m) arrives. (FC Inter News)
Manchester City have decided they will let Bernardo Silva go this summer if a team matches his £75m valuation. (90Min)
Barcelona boss Xavi has backed his former manager Pep Guardiola to win the treble with City this campaign. (Marca)
Real Madrid will move for France attacker Kylian Mbappe later this year if PSG show any signs of wanting to let him go. (Mundo Deportivo)
Milan have told Nicolo Zaniolo they will try again to sign him this summer after failing to do so during January. The winger joined Galatasaray from Roma in the winter window. (Calciomercato)
CHELSEA OUTCAST COULD GET BIG NEXT MOVE
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is being monitored by AC Milan and Inter as he prepares to leave Stamford Bridge. (Calciomercato)
Salernitana forward Boulaye Dia has emerged as a target for Napoli, as well as clubs in the Premier League and Ligue 1, according to his agent. (Radio Kiss Kiss)
There is a chance Jadon Sancho might leave Man Utd and head back to former club Dortmund amid competition from Antony for a starting spot. (Bild)
Romelu Lukaku will only be able to stay at Inter if Chelsea’s new manager wants to sell him, the Nerazzurri qualify for next season’s Champions League and Todd Boehly is willing to accept a cut-price loan deal. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
Crystal Palace, Benfica and Fiorentina are all interested in signing Sao Paulo goalkeeper Young Moraes, whose contract expires in August. (Torcedores)
