Brighton begin talks over promising Verona defender Diego Coppola

Initial discussions are understood to be exploratory, with Brighton & Hove Albion keen to gather information on the player's availability and potential valuation.

The Seagulls have built a strong reputation for identifying emerging talent and developing them into elite-level players.

Their interest in the centre-back mirrors previous successes, most notably Moises Caicedo, who was signed for a modest fee and sold to Chelsea for £115 million in 2023 following a breakout campaign.

Coppola remains under contract at Verona until 2027, and any formal approach is likely to involve a significant fee. Nevertheless, Brighton's early move may give them a head start over other suitors as they look to reinforce their back line with another high-potential addition.