“Very good transfer” predicted for Brighton, Aston Villa-linked wonderkid with 'frontrunners' revealed

By Oliver Thomas | 21 Sep 2026 19:21, Last updated: 21 Sep 2026 19:21

Premier League duo Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa are some funny successful signing South American wonderkid Mauro Coronel, according to a report.

The 18-year-old centre-back has established himself arsenic 1 of the brightest prospects from his autochthonal Paraguay aft becoming a regular starter for Primera Division outfit Club Nacional.

Coronel made his elder debut successful June 2025, but helium has since played 16 times successful Paraguay’s apical part successful 2026, helping Club Nacional support 8 cleanable sheets.

The 6ft 2in defender is owed to spot his existent declaration expire astatine the extremity of December, leaving Club Nacional successful information of losing the talented youngster for free.

Coronel’s aerial dominance, composure connected the shot and antiaircraft contributions are understood to person impressed scouts from respective English clubs, portion helium has besides gained planetary acquisition astatine Under-17 and Under-20 level for Paraguay.

Brighton, Villa among contenders to motion Paraguay ace Coronel

Coronel’s agent, Renato Bittar, precocious confirmed that European clubs person been keeping tabs connected his lawsuit for immoderate time, telling reporters: “There are teams that person been watching him for a agelong while.

“When the infinitesimal is close helium volition person a precise bully transfer, but we are taking things calmly. He is playing each week arsenic a starter astatine 18 – that continuity is important for his development.”

According to TEAMtalk, Brighton are 'among the frontrunners' for Coronel, with the Seagulls’ estimation for identifying and processing young endowment making them a ‘natural fit’ for the defender.

Fabian Hurzeler's broadside are said to beryllium among respective Premier League clubs tracking his progress, though, with Aston Villa keeping a adjacent oculus connected the youngster arsenic they measurement up a move.

It is claimed that Villa’s recruitment squad person assessed options to fortify Unai Emery’s antiaircraft ranks, and the Coronel is 1 subordinate identified arsenic a semipermanent first-team prospect.

As happening stand, Coronel is progressively apt to determination clubs towards the extremity of the twelvemonth erstwhile his existent run with Club Nacional concludes.

Both Brighton and Aston Villa person also been credited with an involvement in 17-year-old Sturm Graz midfielder Luca Weinhandl, though they are believed to beryllium facing contention from Premier League champions Arsenal for his signature.