Albion’s search for a centre-back is back in the spotlight after a report they are looking at rising Serie A star Diego Coppola.
The Seagulls attempted to bring in Vitor Reis from Palmeiras in January but missed out to Manchester City.
Prolific transfer tweeter Fabrizio Romano has reported Albion are now looking at Coppola, a 21-year old at Verona.
Romano, who has a good but not infallible record on such matters, says communication has been opened between the clubs.
The Seagulls are said not to be the only club keen – which would be normal for a talented young player.
And fans will be aware this is the time of year when clubs, agents and their associates will be working hard to enliven markets for certain players.
There can be no promises or guarantees but Jan Paul van Hecke knows what usually happens to Albion's player of the season and here is what he told me about it. #bhafc pic.twitter.com/sObKDP7UwH
— Brian Owen (@Brian__Owen) May 10, 2025
It is likely Albion will have several names in mind for the summer window and beyond.
But their wish to look to the future in the centre of defence would appear evident.
That future could well be built around Jan Paul van Hecke, who completed a player of the year double last week and then told The Argus it would take something very special for him to move to new employers.
Coppola, 21, has been a regular with Verona this season and has made 84 appearances in total.
He has been capped six times for Italy under-21s and has been playing in the centre of a back three.
Coppola scored with a carefully-placed, looping header in a 1-1 draw with Lecce at the weekend and was paid a big compliment by the city’s media.
Verona are currently celebrating the 40th anniversary of winning Serie A with a team which included Silvano Fontolan at centre-back.
Gianluca Tavellin of L’Arena wrote: “For what he did during the match he could easily have replaced Fontolan in the Verona of the championship.”
