Brighton have stepped up their interest in Sporting Cristal youngster Maxloren Castro. Reports from Peru indicate the Premier League side have now begun making enquiries over a potential transfer.
The 18-year-old winger has attracted growing attention during the summer window.
While Belgian side Genk remain the only club to have submitted a formal offer, Brighton are now said to be gathering more detailed information. They are doing this before deciding whether to make their move.
Brighton make enquiries
Peruvian journalist Gustavo Peralta reports that Brighton have asked Sporting Cristal about the conditions of a possible deal for Castro. They have also made enquiries regarding the player’s personal situation.
According to the report, the Seagulls have been monitoring the teenager for several months. The latest contact represents the next stage of their interest rather than a formal approach.
Peralta was keen to distinguish Brighton’s position from Genk’s. He explained that the Premier League club have not yet lodged an official proposal.
That version of events has since been echoed by Bolavip Perú and Infobae. These outlets added that Brighton are carrying out the necessary checks before deciding whether to advance their interest.
Meanwhile, Genk have already presented a formal offer for the winger. This means the Belgian club currently appear further along in negotiations if Castro is to leave Sporting Cristal this summer.
Maxloren Castro attracting growing attention
Maxloren Castro has enjoyed another season of regular first-team football despite still being only 18 years old. Across all competitions in 2026, he has made 26 appearances. He has scored four goals and provided three assists in 1,667 minutes of action.
Although those numbers show there is still room for development, Castro has continued to establish himself at Sporting Cristal. He has also earned senior international recognition with Peru, increasing his visibility to European clubs.
For now, Brighton’s involvement remains at the enquiry stage, while Genk hold the advantage after submitting a formal proposal.
However, the fact the Premier League club have started asking about both the financial framework of a deal and Castro’s personal circumstances suggests their long-term monitoring has developed into more concrete interest as they weigh up whether to make an offer of their own.