Brighton & Hove Albion have rejected an £8m bid from Napoli for Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour, according to sources. The Italian side’s offer is seen as an initial approach, indicating that they may come back with a higher bid. Gilmour, who started 24 Premier League games last season and played 41 times in all competitions, has joined Brighton on their two-match tour in Japan. The Seagulls will face Kashima Antlers on July 24th and Tokyo Verde on July 28th, aiming to capitalize on the popularity of their Japanese star Kaoru Mitoma.
Gilmour’s presence in the team has attracted attention, with Napoli believing that they can secure his signature. However, Brighton is determined to hold onto the talented midfielder who still has two years left on his contract. The club signed him for £7.5m in 2022, and his performances have justified the investment.
On the other hand, Brighton is making progress in their pursuit of Paraguay international Diego Gomez. The midfielder currently plays for Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami and will represent his country in the upcoming Olympics. Talks between Brighton and Inter Miami are reportedly close to completion, with a fee of around $18m (£13.9m) being mentioned.
The potential signing of Gomez would strengthen Brighton’s squad and provide them with additional midfield options. Despite finishing 10th last season, the club is determined to continue improving under manager Antonio Conte, who previously coached Chelsea. Napoli, on the other hand, had a disappointing campaign, finishing 10th after winning the title in 2023 for the first time in 33 years.
These transfer developments highlight the competitive nature of the football market and the ambition of both clubs. Brighton is eager to hold onto their key players like Gilmour while also adding quality reinforcements like Gomez. Napoli, under the leadership of Conte, is looking to rebuild and regain their former glory.
As the transfer window progresses, it will be interesting to see if Napoli returns with an improved offer for Gilmour and if Brighton can secure the signature of Gomez. These potential moves will not only shape the respective squads but also have implications for the Premier League and Serie A as a whole.