On the final days of the transfer window, we saw Braga star Vitinha getting linked to several clubs, with Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Southampton all included in that tussle.
It turns out the striker ended up heading to Marseille, who spent €32m to sign him from the Portuguese side, as the French club spent €2m more than his release clause to guarantee the signing.
As the Portuguese media covers the story today, they claim that Brighton, Crystal Palace and Southampton actually ‘fought practically until the end’ for the transfer.
Outlet O Jogo writes that all three clubs had placed formal offers for the signing, and all of them covered the player’s €30m release clause.
It was Vitinha himself who turned down Brighton, Crystal Palace and Southampton to join Marseille.
Even though rumours said it was Jorge Mendes who brought those offers, O Jogo dismisses those claims, claiming it was four different agents who presented the bids.
Apparently not keen on moving to the Premier League, Vitinha signed a contract with Marseille which is set to run until 2027.
