Atalanta have rejected Brighton’s £30 million bid for Super Eagles-eligible defender Honest Ahanor, according to transfer market expert Nicolò Schira, SuperEaglesNG.com reports.
The Serie A club want between £40 million and £45 million (about N73.2 billion to N82 billion) before they will consider selling the highly rated teenager.
Brighton made the offer as part of their long-term plan to sign Europe’s best young players. However, Atalanta rejected the bid immediately because they believe Ahanor is worth much more.
The 2008-born centre-back has emerged as one of the brightest young defenders in Atalanta’s academy and first-team system. The club believe he has the quality to become a key player for many years.
Ahanor was born in Aversa, Italy, to Nigerian parents. As a result, he remains eligible to play for both Italy and Nigeria at senior international level.
Despite his young age, he has impressed with his strength in defensive duels, composure on the ball and tactical awareness. He can also play in more than one defensive position, making him an attractive option for clubs such as Brighton.
Atalanta have made their position clear. They do not need to sell Ahanor and will only open talks if a club meets or exceeds their asking price.
Brighton must now decide whether to improve their offer if they want to sign the Super Eagles-eligible defender during the 2026 transfer window.
