English Premier League club Brighton & Hove are set to miss out on the signature of Philip Otele, with the Nigerian forward heavily linked with an imminent move to the United Arab Emirates.
The Seagulls were genuinely interested in signing the Nigerian before CFR Cluj former player Roberto De Zerbi’s shock departure from the American Express Stadium at the end of the 2023-2024 campaign.
Brighton’s Premier League rivals Brentford scouted Otele in January 2024 with a view to a transfer but the Bees did not firm up their interest with an official bid to the Romanian club.
According to FANATIK Romania, CFR Cluj have accepted a €4.5m (approximately N7.3 billion) bid from United Arab Emirates Pro League side Al Wahda for Otele.
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As stated in the report, Otele’s agent Andrei Balmos has also confirmed that there is an agreement in place between CFR Cluj and Al Wahda for his client.
While he failed to give the full details of the deal, it has been reported that the talented winger will earn €1.5m as yearly salary.
Otele joined CFR Cluj from UTA Arad last summer and had a blistering campaign with the Romanian side whom he helped to challenge for the Liga 1 missing out on the title by just three points.
He scored 18 goals in 40 appearances during the regular season and playoffs to finish as the joint-top scorer in the division alongside FC Steaua București forward Florinel Coman.
CFR Cluj are prepared for the exit of Otele as they have confirmed the signing of Adrian Păun who is staging a return to the club.