Brighton see off European giants to sign 18-year-old defender, ‘surprising choice’

If Foot Mercato are to be believed, Brighton are on the verge of signing a new defender.

The player in question is FC Nantes’ Batista Mendy, an 18-year-old centre-back, who already has three caps for France’s U18s.

According to the French media outlet, the youngster has turned down the Ligue 1 side’s latest offer to prolong his adventure with them, favouring an experience abroad.

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A pre-contract is said to have already been agreed between the Seagulls and Mendy, which Foot Mercato label a ‘surprising choice’ considering the name of other clubs said to have been after him.

Tottenham, Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid were all said to have their eye on him, but it seems the 18-year-old has chosen to team up with Chris Hughton, where he will probably feel he’ll be able to play first-team football in quickly, with a nice paycheque to go along with it.

Yet to make a professional appearance for the French club, Mendy has, however, represented his country at every level from U16 onwards.