£15m Brighton Star ‘Closing in’ on AC Milan Move – Report | OneFootball

AC Milan Closing in on Pervis Estupiñán Deal: What It Means for Brighton

AC Milan are edging closer to an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for Ecuadorian left-back Pervis Estupiñán, according to a report by The Athletic. After a second offer, the two clubs have made progress, though a final fee is yet to be settled. Brighton are seeking at least the £15 million they paid Villarreal in August 2022.

Estupiñán, who has become a fan favourite at the Amex, was absent from Brighton’s recent 2-0 friendly win over Las Palmas as talks over his move continued.

Brighton’s Left-Back Landscape Changing Rapidly

The competition for Brighton’s left-back slot has intensified this summer. The club secured Maxim De Cuyper from Club Brugge for €20 million (£17.3m) plus add-ons. Ferdi Kadioglu, another left-sided option, is back after spending much of last season sidelined with a toe injury. There is also squad depth with Igor, Tariq Lamptey and Jack Hinshelwood, who all covered at left-back during the 2024-25 campaign.

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Estupiñán’s potential departure now seems like a logical step, not least because, despite his contributions, his 2023-24 season was disrupted by injury. He managed 28 appearances across all competitions that year, though he rebounded to play 30 Premier League games, starting 26, under new head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

Estupiñán’s Brighton Legacy

Estupiñán arrived from Villarreal for just under £15 million and has made 104 appearances, scoring five goals and assisting 14. His standout first season saw him provide nine assists in 41 matches, helping Brighton to their best-ever sixth-place Premier League finish and Europa League qualification.

A quote from The Athletic’s article summarises it well: “The 27-year-old enjoyed a fruitful first season on the south coast, appearing in 41 games and recording nine assists as Brighton achieved their best ever Premier League finish of sixth.”

However, injuries have tempered that early impact, and with Brighton investing heavily in the transfer market, the squad is evolving.

Brighton’s Active Transfer Window

Brighton have been busy in this window, adding not only De Cuyper but also centre-backs Olivier Boscagli (from PSV Eindhoven) and Diego Coppola (from Hellas Verona). They also brought in 18-year-old striker Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiacos. Wingers Yun Do-young and Tommy Watson joined from Daejeon Hana Citizen and Sunderland respectively.

Meanwhile, the club has already made one high-profile sale, with Joao Pedro moving to Chelsea for over £50 million earlier this month.

Brighton’s recruitment underlines their ambition and the determination to back Hurzeler as he shapes his squad for the new campaign. While Estupiñán’s departure would be a loss emotionally for some supporters, it reflects the club’s wider strategy of refreshing the squad with new talent and maintaining a healthy financial balance.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Brighton fans, the news of Pervis Estupiñán potentially leaving for AC Milan will stir mixed emotions. Many will remember his first season under Roberto de Zerbi when his runs down the left flank and pin-point crosses helped Brighton make history. But injuries have taken their toll, and some supporters have been frustrated by his fitness struggles over the past two seasons.

With Maxim De Cuyper arriving and Ferdi Kadioglu returning to fitness, fans should trust in the club’s proactive approach. Fabian Hurzeler has shown he is unafraid to rotate and build a versatile squad. Estupiñán’s sale also fits Brighton’s wider model — signing players, developing them, and moving them on when the right offer comes, while reinvesting smartly.

Still, many supporters will hope the fee reflects Estupiñán’s quality. The minimum £15 million might feel a little low to some, especially considering his age (27) and top-flight experience. There is also a sentimental attachment; Pervis embodied much of Brighton’s attacking spirit during the Europa League push.

In Hurzeler we trust — but supporters will want to see De Cuyper and the other new arrivals hit the ground running, or the loss of Estupiñán could sting more sharply.