Brighton, Lazio, and Napoli eye move for Sassuolo’s Maxime Lopez | OneFootball

Brighton & Hove Albion are one of three clubs interested in signing Sassuolo midfielder Maxime Lopez this summer, according to RMC Sport.

Serie A duo Napoli and Lazio also have him on their radar.

The 25-year-old is open to leaving after three years at the club. The Neroverdi will demand around €15 million for him.

Brighton are already moving sharply in the transfer market, having already signed Joao Pedro from Watford for £30 million.

They are closing in on signing James Milner from Liverpool on a free transfer and are close to agreeing a deal with Borussia Dortmund’s Mahmoud Dahoud.

They could move for Lopez, a player Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi knows from his time in charge of Sassuolo.

Brighton may view him as a replacement for Alexis Mac Allister, who is attracting the interest of several top clubs.

However, Lopez is an archetypal Maurizio Sarri midfielder, and Lazio could sign him to reinforce their squad.

The former Marseille man is elusive, and his passing is exquisite – traits Sarri holds dearly.

Napoli are also in the race for Lopez and have enquired about his availability.

After winning only their third Scudetto, they will be looking for reinforcements in the summer transfer market ahead.

Lopez has featured in 27 Serie A games for Sassuolo this season. The diminutive midfielder helps connect the defence to the attack with his progressive passing and brilliant ball-carrying.

He ranks in the 95th percentile for progressive passing among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues (8.43 per game).

Lopez records 1.5 key passes per 90 and is in the 92nd percentile for passes into the final third.

He makes 2.12 progressive passes per game (80th percentile). His short and long passing game is excellent despite attempting many progressive actions.