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Brighton identify Adria Pedrosa as a potential target as they look to replace Marc Cucurella following £62m Chelsea move… but the Seagulls may face competition from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe for the Espanyol left-back
- Brighton have identified Espanyol left-back Adria Pedrosa as a potential target
- The former Spain Under-21 defender would be a replacement for Marc Cucurella
- Graham Potter may have to fend off interest from Newcastle for his services
- Pedrosa has played 113 games for Espanyol having graduated from the academy
- His prodigious pace and athleticism make him well-suited to the Premier League
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Brighton are showing an interest in Espanyol left-back Adria Pedrosa as a replacement for Marc Cucurella after his big-money switch to Chelsea.
The 24-year-old has just a year left on contract and initial talks have taken place as the Seagulls look to immediately reinvest the £62million they received from the Blues for Cucurella.
After prolonged interest from Manchester City, Cucurella joined Chelsea as the seventh most expensive defender in history, as Brighton negotiate a profit of almost £45m on a player purchased less than 12 months ago.
Adria Pedorsa (left) has played for Espanyol 113 times in eight years, scoring seven times and providing 13 assists for the senior team
Graham Potter’s Brighton have already begun talks to sign the Espanyol defender
But according to reports from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo the Catalan club are hopeful that they can keep the academy graduate at the club beyond next season when his current deal expires.
Despite not yet making an appearance in pre-season, Pedrosa’s representatives have already been in contact with Espanyol over a contract extension, potentially continuing his eight-year stay at the club.
Graham Potter will be aware that he is not the only suitor for Pedrosa’s services, with Eddie Howe having also identified the former Spanish Under-21 international as a possible target.
And although he will have a considerably larger war chest than earlier in the window, he may find it hard to compete with the financial might of Newcastle, who have already made three signings this summer.
Eddie Howe is also interested in the Spanish Under-21 international despite already signing left-back Matt Targett from Aston Villa
However, having already made Matt Targett’s loan from Aston Villa last season permanent Howe may be less likely to push for signing another left-back – a position that Potter will be far more desperate to fortify.
Pedrosa’s pace and athleticism would make him an ideal signing for either side, given how reliant the Premier League has become on physicality and speed.
Brighton have so far made three signings this window, bringing in forwards Julio Enciso and Simon Adingra for a combined £17.6m, as well as completing a loan deal for Chelsea defender Levi Colwill.