Earlier this month, Brighton & Hove Albion announced that an agreement has been reached with Danish side FC Nordsjælland for Ibrahim Osman to arrive at The Amex in the summer.
The winger’s performances had caught the attention of several clubs and he was linked with a move away from the Danish club in the winter market.
Prior to securing an agreement with Brighton, the 19-year-old was offered to several Serie A sides. That’s at least what Italian agent Salvatore Bagni told Tele A’s Si gonfia la rete, relayed by Area Napoli.
On February 16th, Tipsbladet reported the youngster’s deal has cost Roberto De Zerbi’s side around €18m. The former Napoli and Inter midfielder, who’s now a ‘market operator’, claims Brighton paid over €20m for the Ghanaian.
Without revealing the details of the Italian clubs, Bagani states the transfer fee forced them to back out of the deal for the winger.
“I proposed an extraordinary footballer to several Italian teams, but none of them listened to me. I am referring to Ibrahim Osman, a footballer of just 19 years old. The attacker will strengthen Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton. A huge coup for the English club,” he said.
“I know they spent a lot of money, over €20m. Unfortunately, no team in Italy is willing to invest such a high sum for a very young player.”
It’s worth noting that Bagani isn’t Osman’s representative, and he has revealed that agent Mitch Bakkovens negotiated the deal with Brighton. Bagani will have been working as an intermediary, which is common in Italian football.
Osman joined Nordsjælland in January 2023 and has managed four goals and five assists since then.
