Brighton & Hove Albion are pursuing a deal to sign left-sided player Cuiabano from Botafogo.
The 22-year-old Brazilian joined from Gremio only last year and is contracted until June 2027.
However, Brighton have made Cuiabano a target for this summer — with Botafogo rejecting two formal offers from the Premier League club so far.
The first bid was €5million (£4.2m; $5.6m) plus a further €2m in add-ons, and the next worth €5m plus €3m.
The second proposal matched what Turkish side Fenerbahce saw turned down in January and — given the impact Cuiabano is making as a winger, scoring twice in three games — interest is building ahead of the transfer window opening.
Capable of operating on the left side of midfield or as a left-back, Cuiabano has made 19 appearances for Botafogo this season, scoring twice and providing three assists. He has made 49 appearances for the club in total and helped the side win the Copa Libertadores — South America’s equivalent of the Champions League — last year as well as the Brazilian Serie A for the first time since 1995.
Brighton have already have 18-year-old South Korean winger Yun Do-young and 19-year-old Sunderland winger Tommy Watson joining the club next season after agreeing deals to sign the pair earlier this year.
The south coast club are ninth in the Premier League and return to action when they host champions Liverpool on Monday.
