According to Athletic reporter David Ornstein, Brighton are pursuing a deal for Cuiabano and have already had two bids of around £6 million and £7 million rejected for the Botafogo defender.
The 22-year-old Brazilian was also subject of an £8 million bid from Italian giants Juventus in January, but that was also turned down by the Brazilian club.
Not many Albion fans would have heard of the youngster, but what can he bring to Brighton if a deal is struck? And where would he fit in?
VAVEL explores all here.
Club Career
Cuiabano started his football career in Brazil and joined Grêmio's youth setup in 2014, aged 11.
Following heavy interest from Major League Soccer team's Orlando City and Charlotte FC in 2022, he renewed his contract with the two times Brazilian champions until the end of 2024.
In the 2021/22 season, he played 360 minutes across four games for Grêmio's U20s, in which he scored against Grêmio Novorizontino and assisted against Castanhal EC.
He was 18 years old when he made his U20 debut.
He started the following season with the U20s, scoring one goal São Paulo FC in four games, but he was quickly promoted to the first team.
In his debut season in the senior side, he scored two goals in 14 games.
His first came in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A against Club Athletico Paranaense and his second came in the Copa Do Brasil against Esporte Clube Bahia.
In his 14 games he helped keep four clean sheets.
The Brazilian's 23/24 season got off to a difficult start with him picking up a muscular injury, which sidelined him for 15 games.
He only managed to play 224 minutes across four games in the first half of the season.
Come April 2024, and he was wanted by fellow Brazilian team Botafogo.
On April 19, he secured a £1.2 million move to the Lone Star.
Despite picking up another injury mid-way through the second half of the season - this time a Hamstring issue - he still managed to play 2,033 minutes across 30 games for his new club.
The left back picked up four goals and provided two assists in these games.
All four of his goals were scored in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, with his first coming against his former side Grêmio and his other three coming against Clube Atlético Mineiro, São Paulo, and Esporte Clube Juventude.
His first assist came in the league against Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, whilst his second came in the cup against Esporte Clube Vitória.
When he played, his side kept a clean sheet in a third of their games.
His impresses performances led to Juventus lodging an £8 million bid.
It was swiftly rejected.
League football in Brazil runs from the end of March to the end December, with some other competitions in New year.
So, they are still in the early days of their season.
So far, Cuiabano has played 19 games, scored two goals, and provided three assists.
He scored in the **Copa Libertadores**Venezuelan side Carabobo FC, and in the league against Sport Club Internacional.
And he assisted against Juventude, Boavista SC, and Capital CF.
International Career
Cuiabano is still at the beginning of his international career.
He made his Brazil U18 debut on November 14, 2021, at the age of 18 years, eight months, and 29 days.
He played one minute in a 2-1 defeat to Mexico.
This was the only U18 cap he received.
He made his Brazil U20 debut on November 17, 2022, at the age of 19 years, nine months, and one day.
He played 74 minutes in a 3-0 loss to Chile and three days later he played in a 3-2 defeat to the same opposition.
These are the only two U20 caps he picked up.
He is yet to receive a senior cap.
But a move to the Premier League could go a long way in changing this.
What can he bring to Brighton?
Cuiabano is a bully.
He is a pressing machine.
Seagulls manager [**Fabian Hürzeler](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2025/04/25/brighton-hove-albion/1221507-not-happy-clappy-fabian-hurzeler-respondsto-questions-of-brighton-culture-ahead-of-west-ham-clash.html)**has said he wants more physical and high intensity players, so it makes complete sense as to why multiple bids have already been placed for the 22-year-old.
In terms of style and profile, he is similar to the likes of Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries, Fenerbahçe's Filip Kostić, and Borussia Dortmund's Almugera Kabar.
Recent Champions League games have shown how game changing it can be having a player with the profile of Dumfries.
Cuiabano is 5'10' tall and weighs around 77KG, which fit the sort characteristics Hürzeler has said he is looking for.
His best attributes are his pace, tackling, finishing, aerial duels, strength, acceleration, stamina, interceptions, and work rate.
All these make him perfect for how Brighton want their fullbacks to play.
Aggressive, progressive, intense, and high up the pitch.
However, his defensive concentration will need to be improved if he is to be playing week in week out in the Premier League.
His injuries may also be a cause for concern and something Brighton will need to keep a keen eye on if they do bring him in.
He does seem a very good fit to the system though and he has the exact attributes the club will be looking for in that left sided role.
Where will he fit in?
Cuiabano has one main position.
But he has played a few games in other areas of the pitch.
He has played one game as a central midfielder.
His attributes would make him a solid number eight, but Brighton already have central options who are much better suited to and experienced in the middle, so it would be a surprise to see him played ahead of Yasin Ayari, Jack Hinshelwood, or Matt O'Riley.
For some reason he has also played one game as a second striker and scored.
You cannot argue against the statistics, but it is clear he is not being signed to play here.
The Seagulls have Georginio Rutter, João Pedro, Brajan Gruda, Julio Enciso, and Facundo Buonanotte who can all play in this position much better and more consistently than the Brazilian.
This season Botafogo have opted to play Alex Telles at left back, which has given Cuiabano the opportunity to play higher up as a left midfielder.
As the wide midfielder he has played seven games and scored two goals.
While Brighton's German manager does not necessarily use a left midfielder, the skills and understanding he would have gained from playing here will go a long way in helping him in the role he would be playing under Hürzeler.
That is a very attacking and hardworking left back.
His main position is of course as a left back.
He has played 40 games in the backline, in which he has scored five goals and picked up five assists.
A left sided fullback is high up Brighton's summer transfer list.
With Tariq Lamptey out of contract in the summer and Ferdi Kadıoğlu seemingly preferred on the right, Pervis Estupiñán is the only natural left back at the club.
So, it looks as though the Brazilian is being brought in to provide cover and competition to the Ecuadorian.
And the opportunity will be there for him to take his starting spot if he performs well.
A deal is far from done, but he is one to keep an eye on over the next few weeks as Brighton will want to get a move sealed quickly with interest building for the 22-year-old.