AliousBrighton Locked in Transfer Battle with Mourinho’s Fenerbahce for Rising Brazilian Star Cuiabano
Brighton & Hove Albion are ramping up their summer transfer activity with a determined push to sign Brazilian left-sided talent Cuiabano — but they face stiff competition from Jose Mourinho’s newly appointed Fenerbahce side.
According to The Athletic, the Seagulls have identified the Botafogo star as a priority target as they look to bolster their first-team options for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
Brighton have already laid the groundwork for the future, securing the services of highly rated teenage wingers Yoon Do-young from South Korea and Tommy Watson from Sunderland, while also preparing to integrate young striker Stefanos Tzimas, who joined in January for a reported £20 million and is currently finishing a loan spell at Nuremberg.
Now, attention has turned to Cuiabano, a dynamic 22-year-old capable of operating both as a winger and a left-back.
Born in Cuiabá, the Brazilian came through the ranks at Gremio, spending nearly a decade in their academy before making his senior debut in early 2023.
Despite early interest from MLS clubs like Orlando City and Charlotte FC, Cuiabano chose to extend his stay in Brazil at the time. He later made a switch to Botafogo in April 2024 for approximately €1.5 million.
Since joining O Glorioso, Cuiabano has become a key figure, racking up close to 50 appearances and contributing six goals and five assists. His performances played a vital role in Botafogo’s historic double — lifting the 2024 Copa Libertadores and the 2023–24 Brazilian Serie A title, the latter marking the club’s first league triumph in nearly 30 years.
Brighton, however, have encountered resistance in their pursuit.
Their initial bid of €5 million plus €2 million in add-ons was rejected, as was a subsequent improved offer totaling €8 million.
Notably, this second offer mirrors the figure Fenerbahce reportedly offered in January — a proposal also turned down by Botafogo.
With interest in Cuiabano heating up across Europe, both Brighton and Fenerbahce will likely have to return with significantly higher bids if they hope to convince Botafogo to part with one of South America’s most exciting emerging talents.
Under contract until the end of 2027, Cuiabano represents a long-term investment — and the bidding war could get intense as the transfer window approaches.
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