On Friday, Expressen reported Brighton & Hove Albion have managed to overcome competition to agree a deal with IFK Göteborg for Malick Yalcouyé. It was also reported the Seagulls have to sort out personal terms with the player.
Later that day, Fotbollskanalen stated the 18-year-old left training early, indicating his move to Brighton may be imminent.
The Swedish club will face IFK Värnamo on Sunday. In the pre-match press conference, Göteborg manager Stefan Billborn was asked about the midfielder leaving training early, and his comments are relayed by Expressen.
When quizzed further whether it had to do anything with his impending move, Billborn explained: “Yes, it is highly likely that it could be so. He could have played. But you don’t know, it could be that the papers might be torn and then it will be 90 minutes on Sunday too.”
The outlet claims Brighton have agreed a deal worth SEK 102m [€9m] plus bonuses with Göteborg, which is the club-record fee for the Swedish side.
On the price tag, the manager said: “The market decides. Position, market, age… One should be aware that these clubs buy on speculation. If nothing else, it’s good for the coffers here. That’s really the only thing, we’re going to build a club here and then we need some money.”
Göteborg technical director Ola Larsson has refused to comment on why Yalcouyé stopped training early on Friday.
“Of course, I have no comments on anything. You get that. I can’t say anything,” Larsson was quoted as saying by Expressen.
The player has made 14 appearances for Göteborg since joining them from Ivory Coast based side ASEC Mimosas at the start of this year.
