Brighton 'agree deal' to sign teenager compared to Lionel Messi by Carlos Tevez

Brighton and Hove Albion have an agreement in principle to sign teenage Argentinian star Facundo Buonanotte, according to reports from South America.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder is an under-20 international for the Albiceleste, and plays his club football for Rosario Central, who are managed by former Premier League star Carlos Tevez. He scored the first winning goal of Tevez's managerial career, and has been compared to Lionel Messi by the ex-Man Utd striker, who played with Messi at international level.

Brighton have had plenty of luck recruiting from South America in the past, with Man Utd-linked Moises Caicedo joining from the Ecuadorian league and Alexis Mac Allister arriving from Argentina in 2019. This summer, they have already added Paraguayan international Julio Cesar Enciso, with the 18-year-old joining from Libertad, but reports suggest the deal for Buonanotte would not be immediate.

According to TyC Sports, Buonanotte could set Brighton back as much as $10m (£8.6m) including add-ons, with an agreement in principle between them and Rosario. There is also expected to be a 20% sell-on clause for the teenager, who will leave Argentina at the end of the calendar year if the deal goes to plan, signing a deal with the Seagulls until 2027.

The deal would take Brighton's summer spending to around £40m, even if Buonanotte wouldn't arrive immediately. Enciso's arrival in June has been followed by moves for Ivorian youngster Simon Adingra and Ecuador international left-back Pervis Estupinan, while Levi Colwill has joined on loan from Chelsea..

Buonanotte might have only made his senior debut in 2022, but he comes with a lofty reputation. Indeed, Tevez - who played with Messi at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups - has likened the youngster to his Ballon d'Or-winning compatriot.

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"When he brakes and accelerates he reminds me of Messi." Tevez said after Rosario beat Barracas earlier this month, as reported by Rosario3. "I haven't seen a boy play like that for a long time, that gives me so much pleasure, and that I watch a lot of football.

"Facu has a great mentality, he doesn't seem to be 17 years old," the manager continued. "He is at a very high level, one thinks that he has no ceiling, it is where he wants to go. Today he is physically impeccable".

Since Tevez took over earlier in the season, Rosario Central have won four out of their 12 league games, drawing three and losing five. Buonanotte has been involved in all but one of those games, and played in midfield with Francis Mac Allister - brother of Brighton's number 10 - in the weekend draw with San Lorenzo.