Brighton's interest in Nigerian forward confirmed

Philip Otele in action

Monday Apr 01, 2024. 17:01

Brighton and Hove Albion’s interest in Romania-based Nigerian forward Philip Otele has been confirmed.

The 24-year-old has been in fine form for CFR Cluj this season – hitting the back of the net 13 times in 25 starts in the Romanian SuperLiga.

Ioan Varga, the CFR Cluj owner, has confirmed that the English Premier League club is interested in signing Otele.

“Indeed, Brighton are interested in Otele! There were some first contacts, especially since Brighton is a former player close to CFR Cluj. It is about the current coach, De Zerbi. De Zerbi knows Cluj very well, he knows the CFR very well,” Varga said on Fanatik.https://www.fanatik.ro/nelutu-varga-a-confirmat-interesul-din-premier-league-pentru-otele-sunt-contacte-patronul-i-a-stabilit-un-super-pret-atacantului-de-la-cfr-cluj-20649116?fbclid=IwAR0IqeDfY6mwB_LEvt60zOOtNgJXU-H4-djasFJiSjkNdUsM2LuBouRDyJo_aem_AasOi636H9e0LCIAq4XWblHtEvTkkXq4f_Vgalr4qJs2AQImF-55qTa1qHTRdqBjXZwQlptdIhfEtthXirbm8RXb

“There are already first contacts. We didn’t delve into things because we are in the middle of the championship. I didn’t go into detail. I wouldn’t say they’re negotiable at the moment.”

Varga went on to reveal the Port Harcourt-born player’s price tag and he also backed him to flourish in the Premier League.

“They and we are in the middle of the championship. We are still fighting for the goals and we haven’t gone deep into things, but there are already first contacts. I repeat, also taking into account the fact that De Zerbi knows in detail everything that means CFR Cluj,” he continued.

“Otele’s price is £6m. Of course, anything can be negotiated, but this is the price at which we want to sell him in the Premier League, if the negotiations with Brighton go through.

“In my opinion, Otele copes without problems. He is a very strong player, a player who will certainly last in the Premier League. He is a physical player, an extraordinary technical player and I think he would be a very good investment for the future for Brighton, especially as high-value strikers cost from 30-40 million upwards,” he added.

“We’ll see in the coming weeks what happens. It is very important to play well and score. It is clear that then his price will increase.”