Exclusive: Brighton ready improved big-money Kostoulas bid to beat Aston Villa
Brighton are planning an improved bid of £32million for Olympiacos attacker Charalampos Kostoulas after seeing their first bid rejected, sources have told Football Insider.
Brighton are stepping up their pursuit of Kostoulas as they look to fend off interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid.
The 17-year-old has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Europe since breaking into the senior team of the Greek champions and has been on the radar of a host of Europe’s top clubs.
Brighton in need of attacker as Joao Pedro linked with exit
Star forward Joao Pedro was involved in a bust-up with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke recently, which led to the Brazilian forward being left out of the squad for Brighton’s 3-2 win over Liverpool.
The former Watford is top of both the goal and assist charts for the Seagulls this season and has been a key part of Fabian Hurzeler’s squad.
But with Pedro telling those close to him he is interested in a move to Chelsea, the club may look to cash in on their wantaway star.
Replacing the Brazilian will be no mean feat, but Brighton have a proven track record of unearthing and trusting young talent.
Stefanos Tzimas is set to join from Nurnberg in the summer, and the Seagulls could field two Greek strikers up top next season, if they can get their hands of Kostoulas.
Charalampos Kostoulas one of Europe’s most exciting talents
Kostoulas is regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers, as evidenced by Brighton’s willingness to bid £32m for him despite his tender age.
The striker has already featured for Greece’s Under-21 side, scoring on his debut, and it is likely just a matter of time before he makes his senior debut for his national side.
The young striker has shown his ability to be a clinical finisher at club level, netting seven times in just 13 starts for the Greek Super League’s champions.
Brighton have already had a bid of £30m plus Abdallah Sima rejected for Kostoulas according to The Athletic, and securing his signature this summer will be a tough task given the pedigree of the other clubs interested in the 17-year-old.