Brighton and Hove Albion coach Roberto De Zerbi has turned down the chance to sign Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi amid links to Inter Milan, Juventus, AC Milan, and Napoli.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who report that the Seagulls coach is a fan of the 23-year-old, but is looking to bring in a midfielder with different characteristics, and that this opens the door to Serie A teams.
Frattesi is on the radar of a number of teams in Serie A. However, the Premier League also looms in the background.
Tottenham Hotspur had been linked, although according to FCInterNews, the departure of Fabio Paratici has cooled the Londoners’ interest.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa had sent scouts to watch Frattesi. However, their interest came to nothing more than this.
According to FCIN, however, the Premier League side that had been most serious about signing Frattesi were Brighton. De Zerbi’s side look set to sell Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool, and need a replacement.
Brighton Coach De Zerbi Turns Down De Zerbi – Opening Door To Serie A Teams
However, Tuttosport pour some cold water on these links to Brighton.
The Turin-based newspaper confirm that Brighton coach De Zerbi is an admirer of the Neroverdi midfielder. However, they suggest that he is prioritizing other targets.
This could mean that Frattesi is destined to move to a big team in Serie A instead of to the Premier League. Tuttosport certainly infer as much.
The Turin-based newspaper confirm that Inter are tracking the 23-year-old. Nerazzurri CEO Beppe Marotta has stated as much.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Nerazzurri could sell some youngsters to fund a move for Frattesi.
According to Tuttosport, however, Inter would not be without rivals for Frattesi’s signature from within Serie A. Fellow Italian giants Napoli and Milan are also keen.
However, the most formidable competition for the Sassuolo midfielder may come from Juventus.
The Bianconeri are set to lose Leandro Paredes this summer, and possibly also Adrien Rabiot. This could make room for Frattesi, and having Brighton out of the picture would clear the way.