Brighton scout visits one of Europe’s top games over weekend, striker could be target

 

On Sunday, Benfica travelled to Porto for one of the biggest matches of the European weekend. The game ended a 1-1 draw, leaving Benfica top and Porto still in third position, with Sporting between the two clubs.

It’s no surprise that for such a match scouts travelled from around Europe, hoping to spot the latest big thing to come out of Portugal. There’s likely no bargains to be had, given it’s Benfica and Porto, but teams including the Manchester pair, both Milan clubs, PSG, Atletico Madrid and Juventus were there.

So were Brighton and Hove Albion, according to Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

A good number of the players on show have release clauses around €60m, and their clubs would expect something close to that for a deal to happen. There are some bit part players, which surely must have been Brighton’s intention.

Laurent Depoitre may be one, after Porto signed the Belgian during the summer window. The striker isn’t getting on to the pitch regularly and a quick move may be beneficial. Depoitre was linked to several English clubs, including from the Championship, before Porto came in for him.

Being a bit part player, he didn’t get on the pitch, so if Brighton had gone to see Depoitre then they’ll have left disappointed.