Brighton told to pay full clause for Boca Juniors wonderkid – Where the situation stands

Boca Juniors demand Flores's full $20m release clause (€17m); Brighton enquired but won't negotiate a lower fee.

Brighton have been linked with Boca Juniors winger Leonel Flores for months, but the Argentine club has hardened its stance on any potential deal. Boca president Juan Román Riquelme has reportedly decided that Flores will only leave if a club pays his full $20m release clause, worth approximately €17m (£14.8m). Any offer below that figure will be rejected immediately, marking a shift from earlier in the year when Boca were said to be open to considering a sufficiently attractive offer.

Brighton have made enquiries about the 19-year-old's situation, but face a further complication: Boca are demanding the full clause upfront, while Brighton typically prefer deals structured with instalments or performance-related bonuses. Flores has impressed since breaking into Boca's first team and recently made his Argentina debut under Lionel Scaloni. Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with the winger, who is under contract until December 2029.