Brighton and Brentford in talks over Maupay

Brentford are in talks with Brighton over a potential deal for Neal Maupay to join the south-coast club.

Striker Maupay, 22, was recently given time off by Brentford amid interest from Premier League clubs. The Frenchman has not featured during pre-season.

Brighton have long been monitoring the situation, while West Ham, Sheffield United and Aston Villa are also interested in the player.

Brentford are demanding at least £20m for Maupay, who scored 28 goals for them last season.

The Bees have noted that financially troubled Birmingham City sold striker Che Adams to Southampton for a reported £15m.

Brentford, on the other hand, do not need to sell so feel they can hold out for significantly more than that amount.

They have already banked sizeable transfer fees for several players in recent years, including the recent sales of Ezri Konsa to Aston Villa and goalkeeper Daniel Bentley to Bristol City, as well as Chris Mepham’s January move to Bournemouth, so are in a position to play hardball.

There is also a belief that Maupay’s market value will increase further by the time the January transfer window opens if he stays at Brentford and continues his prolific form during the first half of the coming season.

He was signed from St Etienne in 2017 and is under contract at Griffin Park until 2021.

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