Brighton & Hove Albion have their eyes set on signing Udinese youngster Simone Pafundi.
That’s according to Udinese Blog, who state the Seagulls have constantly monitored the 17-year-old.
The attacking midfielder came up through the ranks of the Serie A side’s youth system and was promoted to their senior team a year ago. He made nine appearances last season and all of them came from the bench.
Even though the Italy international played less than 100 minutes for Udinese, it seems to have convinced Brighton.
Udinese Blog further add the Brighton manager is a ‘great admirer’ and wants to coach his compatriot at The Amex. De Zerbi is the ‘main sponsor’ of the Seagulls’ pursuit of the player.
To ‘convince’ Udinese, the report states the English club will have to present a €25m offer, which is an awful lot for a 17-year-old which such little experience.
If Brighton were to agree a deal with Udinese for Pafundi, they wouldn’t be able to bring him to the UK until he turns 18-years-of-age [in March 2024] due to Brexit. In that case, they’ll have to find a club where he can spend a season on loan, which again makes €25m look more like wishful thinking from Udinese.
