Brighton appears to have fallen at the last hurdle in the race to sign Nicolás González, according to reports in Germany.
Reports from The Guardian on Wednesday suggested that Brighton had agreed a club record fee with Stuttgart to sign the forward. The transfer would have cost around £ 25 million upfront, plus bonuses. But they were warned that Fiorentina had also seen an offer accepted, and it now appears that González has chosen the Italian club.
It was previously reported that the 23-year-old, who was also linked to Tottenham and Leeds, I’d rather move to the Premier League. But after reflection, it seems that he has changed his position to choose Fiorentina.
According to Sky in Germany, González is ‘close’ to joining the Serie A squad. Fiorentina will pay the equivalent of £ 19.7 million up front and could see his investment rise to £ 23 million with add-ons.
That’s lower than the reported fee Brighton would have paid. However, it seems that the choice of the player has been decisive.
The Argentine international is expected to sign a five-year contract in Florence. There is currently no coach there after Gennaro Gattuso broke his contract to take over next season, but Fiorentina are still running their transfer business for the summer.
Meanwhile, Gattuso appears to be close to an instant return to management. He’s in advanced conversations with one of the clubs that previously loved González, Tottenham.
Follow our social media channels: we are on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Brighton ready for a busy summer
After seemingly missing Gonzalez, Brighton could be set for more transfer disappointment this summer. Several of its key players are in demand.
For example, Ben White impressed in his first season as a Premier League player. The defender continued the form he built on loan at Leeds, whom he helped win promotion to the Championship the previous year.
A member of the England team for Euro 2020, White can now aim higher at the club level. And Arsenal apparently intend to capture him.
They reportedly made an offer, which Brighton declined. But the center-back seems confident that the play will take shape at the end.
READ MORE: Sign on the brink when star tells friends she’s moving to Arsenal on £ 50 million deal
–
