Brighton and Hove Albion are close to selling Diego Coppola to Paris FC in a permanent deal worth up to €20m.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Paris will pay €18m up front, with a further €2m available through add-ons. The Italian centre-back is expected to sign a five-year contract after spending the second half of last season on loan at the Stade Jean Bouin.
Coppola joined Brighton from Hellas Verona for around €11m last summer but struggled to establish himself in Fabian Hürzeler’s defence. He made nine appearances for Albion before moving to France in January.
Brighton secure profit from short Coppola stay
Coppola quickly settled at Paris FC and made 14 appearances during his loan spell. New head coach Liam Rosenior has prioritised a permanent deal, while the player also prefers to remain in Paris rather than return to Serie A.
Romano confirmed that Brighton and Paris FC have agreed the €18m package plus €2m in add-ons. Lazio had also shown interest, but Coppola’s preference has helped Paris move into a decisive position.
The sale gives Brighton a profit after only one season and removes another player from a rapidly changing centre-back department. Jan Paul van Hecke has already left, while Albion continue working to complete a club-record deal for Luka Vuskovic.
ReadBrighton’s latest transfer-window update outlined how Coppola’s exit fits into Hürzeler’s defensive rebuild. Lewis Dunk, Olivier Boscagli, Pascal Struijk and Michael Svoboda remain among the senior options, with Vuskovic expected to add further competition.
Neither club has announced the transfer, but the agreement and advanced personal terms leave few obstacles. Brighton can now reinvest the Coppola fee as they continue reshaping the squad before their European campaign begins.
