Brighton and Hove Albion are ‘very interested’ in FSV Mainz rising star Brajan Gruda and may have an advantage over Bayer Leverkusen in the race for him.
That’s according to SportBILD, who say Brighton’s ability to pay €50m for him may put them at the front of the queue.
The newspaper reports that Gruda ‘has the choice’ this summer between Brighton and Bayer Leverkusen, who are both very interested in signing the 20-year-old.
The Seagulls have an advantage over the German champions, though, as Mainz’s €50m asking price would be far easier for English clubs to manage than anyone from the Bundesliga.
Whether Brighton are willing to pay such a figure isn’t mentioned but Gruda is the ‘absolute dream player’ for new coach Fabian Hürzeler, which may push them along somewhat.
Given their current transfer record is the €35m paid for Yankuba Minteh this summer, though, it would take a huge leap for them to pay such a figure for Gruda.
The winger, for his part, can imagine the move to Brighton and is keen to depart Mainz this summer if given the opportunity to do so.
The opportunity is there for Brighton then, and it seems their spending power gives them an advantage if they want to take it.
