Igor Julio is back at Brighton after his loan spell at West Ham, but his return does not close the door on a possible exit. Instead, it opens another chapter, with the defender still carrying chances of leaving, especially for a move outside Europe.
According to Brazilian journalist Samuel Venâncio, speaking during a live broadcast, interest has emerged from Cruzeiro, the club Igor Julio supports. However, the journalist stressed that Brighton have taken a firm position.
The Seagulls will only consider a permanent transfer and have ruled out any form of loan deal. That stance immediately narrows the options for Brazilian clubs following the situation.
This is not the first time a return to Brazil has been explored. Palmeiras previously made enquiries but chose not to push the deal forward. Reports in Brazil indicated Brighton demanded at least £6m (€7m), a figure that proved too high for Palmeiras to pursue during the window.
Cruzeiro’s financial context also matters here. The club recently spent around £26m (€30m) to sign midfielder Gerson from Zenit. They also raised funds by selling full-back Kauã Prates to Borussia Dortmund for about £10m (€12m). Even so, the club remain under pressure to add a centre-back quickly.
Despite the financial obstacles, the situation around a move for Igor Julio is not completely closed and could still develop. The player’s stance and the approach of the transfer deadline may influence Brighton to soften their position. Cruzeiro, meanwhile, are exploring creative alternatives to try to make a deal possible.
For Brighton, Igor Julio’s situation extends their defensive reshuffle after the winter transfer window. As things stand, any move depends on Brighton’s insistence on a full sale and whether a non-European club can meet their demands.