Brighton are reportedly set to fend off interest from Chelsea in another one of their players, according to a report this lunchtime.
Manchester United are also mentioned as an interested club, and Brighton are fighting off interest from them as well.
Sources: Pedro Neto to Chelsea?? đź‘€
Chelsea have done a lot of business with Brighton in recent seasons, taking players such as Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo, and also manager Graham Potter and a host of other staff members, coaches and directors.
And now, they have been knocking on Brighton’s door once again in order to try and take one of their rising academy stars.
Teenage star in Darius Lane has attracted interest from Manchester United and Chelsea but sources have told HITC that Brighton have done enough to keep hold of the American midfielder.
Lane fits Chelsea’s recruitment strategy
🔵🇺🇸 Brighton 16-year-old Darius Lane, set to sign pro contract at 17 as deal will be completed later this year.
Lane has been called up to the USA Olympic training squad; he can also represent, France and England. pic.twitter.com/IN3r9Unwi3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 13, 2024
Whether you agree with Chelsea’s recruitment strategy of buying all young and unproven players or not, there is no doubting that a move for Lane would fit that.
Sources have told HITC that the 16-year-old midfielder – who has been training with the US Olympic squad – is set to commit his future to The Seagulls.
The BBC recently spoke to a high-level scout to ask what Premier League academy players to watch out for and Lane was one of them.
“Darius Lane from Brighton is another name to look out for. He’s a central midfielder, French-American and just got called up to represent America,” the scout said.
“He’s a box-to-box, all-action style player and another one that I think has a really good opportunity to make it if Brighton provide him with the pathway.”
But it looks like he will now stay at Brighton and Chelsea will have to accept defeat on this one and turn their attentions elsewhere, which I am sure they will do.
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After the way Pulisic and others have been mishandled by Chelsea, American agents are getting wise. Brighton has a proven and well respected record of developing youth and providing playing minutes in a modern tactical game.