Brighton ‘ready to pay’ fee, agree deal with club – ‘Preparing to overtake’ Southampton for signing

Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion are battling it out for SC Braga’s Vítor Oliveira, simply known as Vitinha.

On Monday, journalist Pedro Sepulveda said the Saints are interested in the striker. This is backed up by O Jogo, who provide more information on this case.

It’s claimed Southampton are not the only Premier League side interested in the 22-year-old and are joined by Brighton.

In fact, the Seagulls made a €25m bid on Monday and it was rejected by the Portuguese club. The player has a €30m release clause and Braga have no intention to let him leave for less than this figure.

Journalist Bruno Andrade has a short report on Southampton. He says they started with an €18m offer and reached the €30m fee demanded by Braga. The latter haven’t closed the deal yet with Nathan Jones’ side because Marseille have entered the race.

The Ligue 1 side’s interest in Vitinha is also discussed in France by RMC Sport. Although he was seduced by Marseille’s project, he is now close to committing to Brighton.

It’s claimed Roberto De Zerbi’s side are ‘ready to pay’ the player’s €30m release clause. They also have an agreement with Braga, presumably over alternative payment terms. Therefore, Brighton are ‘preparing to overtake’ Southampton and Marseille in the race to sign Vitinha.