Brighton beat Juventus to sign Italian starlet

Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion have officially won the race to sign highly-rated defender Diego Coppola from Hellas Verona, beating out strong competition from Juventus.

The 21-year-old centre-back, a product of Verona’s youth academy, has steadily risen through the ranks to become a mainstay in the club’s defense.

His consistent performances recently earned him a first call-up to the Italy national team, though his debut was marred by a disappointing loss to Norway, a match that effectively ended manager Luciano Spalletti’s tenure with the Azzurri.

Despite the tough start on the international stage, Coppola remains one of Italy’s most promising young defenders. His move to Brighton offers a chance for redemption and growth as he prepares to test himself in one of the world’s most competitive leagues next season.

The Seagulls have reportedly outmaneuvered Juventus, who had identified the young Italian as a key target in their strategy to build a new squad core around domestic talent.

The move to England marks a significant step in Coppola’s career trajectory, showcasing Brighton’s growing reputation as a destination for emerging European talent.

With Coppola heading to the Premier League, Juventus are now forced to explore alternative defensive reinforcements.

The Bianconeri are currently evaluating Giovanni Leoni of Parma and Pietro Comuzzo from Fiorentina as possible replacements.

To add to their defensive woes, Juventus also failed to extend the loan of Renato Veiga from Chelsea, further weakening their backline options.

On the positive side, they will regain Daniele Rugani, who returns from a loan spell at Ajax just in time for the FIFA Club World Cup.