Brighton open to Diego Coppola loan exit as Lazio explore deal

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Diego Coppola could be set for another move away from the Amex Stadium this summer, with Lazio reportedly exploring a loan deal that would include a €12 million option to buy.

The Italian centre-back joined Brighton from Hellas Verona in 2025 but struggled to establish himself under Fabian Hurzeler during his first six months in England. A successful loan spell at Paris FC helped revive his momentum, and fresh interest from Serie A has now emerged.

Lazio are believed to be assessing the defender as part of their plans to rebuild their backline ahead of the new season.

Coppola's first season at Brighton did not unfold as expected.

The 22-year-old managed only limited opportunities under Hurzeler, making nine appearances and accumulating just 542 minutes across all competitions. Frustrated by the lack of playing time, the defender pushed for a temporary departure during the January transfer window.

Brighton eventually approved a loan move to Paris FC, where Coppola quickly established himself as a regular starter.

After beginning life in France on the bench, he went on to play every available minute in Ligue 1, finishing the campaign with 1,170 minutes across 13 league matches.

His strong performances have now put him back on the radar of clubs in Italy.

According to reports in Italy, Lazio could soon require significant defensive reinforcements.

Both Alessio Romagnoli and Mario Gila are being linked with moves away from the club, creating uncertainty in Marco Baroni's squad.

Romagnoli is reportedly attracting interest from Al-Sadd, while Gila has been linked with ambitious clubs after declining to sign a contract extension.

Faced with the possibility of losing both defenders, Lazio sporting director Angelo Mariano Fabiani is assessing several alternatives.

Coppola and Borussia Monchengladbach defender Fabio Chiarodia have reportedly emerged as two leading candidates.

The Brighton player is viewed as a financially attractive option because of the proposed loan structure and relatively modest purchase clause.

From Brighton's perspective, another temporary move could make sense.

Having followed the club's player development model closely, Brighton have regularly used strategic loans to accelerate the progress of young players before integrating them into the first team or selling them at an increased value.

Coppola's successful spell at Paris FC has already boosted his reputation significantly.

According to recent valuations, the defender's market value has risen from €10 million to approximately €18 million following his performances in France.

A productive season in Serie A could increase that value even further.

Lazio are expected to continue evaluating defensive targets as they await clarity on the futures of Romagnoli and Gila. If either player leaves, Coppola could quickly become a priority target.

Brighton will also assess whether another loan move represents the best route for the defender's development. Discussions could accelerate later in the transfer window if Lazio formally enter negotiations and seek to secure a replacement before pre-season preparations intensify.

Would Brighton be making a mistake by including a €12m purchase option, or is another loan the right move for Diego Coppola's development?