Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly battling with Jose Mourinho‘s Fenerbahce for the signature of Botafogo wideman Cuiabano.
The Seagulls have been planning for the future for some time and have already agreed deals to sign two teenage wingers in the form of South Korean starlet Yoon Do-young and Sunderland’s Tommy Watson.
Fabian Hurzeler is also looking forward to working with 20-year-old striker Stefanos Tzimas, who officially joined Brighton in January for a reported £20m before being loaned straight back to German outfit Nuremberg for the rest of this season.
Brighton are keen to strengthen their first-team squad further ahead of the new campaign and The Athletic reports that they have identified Cuiabano as a target for this summer.
The report adds that Botafogo have already rejected two offers from Brighton; the first bid was worth €5m (£4.2m) plus a further €2m (£1.7m) in add-ons, and their second totalling to €5m plus €3m (£2.5m) was also rebuffed.
Brighton’s second proposal is said to have matched what Turkish giants Fenerbahce saw turned down in the January transfer window.
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Who is Botafogo wideman Cuiabano?
Interest in Cuiabano is said to be building ahead of the transfer window opening, but Brighton, Fenerbahce and any other potential suitors must table a higher offer if they wish to prise him away from Botafogo.
Born in Cuiaba, Cuiabano began his career with Gremio where he spent almost a decade in their academy before making his senior debut in February 2023.
Just under 12 months prior to that, Cuiabano was linked with a potential transfer to Major League Soccer amid reported interest from Orlando City and Charlotte FC, but he opted to renew his contract with Gremio.
The versatile left-flanker, who is capable of operating as a winger or left-back, played 18 times for Gremio before deciding to join Botafogo in April 2024 for around €1.5m.
Now 22 years of age and under contract until December 2027, Cuiabano is on the verge of making 50 appearances for Botafogo in all competitions and has chipped in with six goals and five assists.
He helped O Glorioso win the 2024 Copa Libertadores – South America’s equivalent of the Champions League – and last year’s Brazilian Serie A title for the first time since 1995.
