Napoli are ready to increase their bid to sign midfielder Billy Gilmour, with Antonio Conte keen on bringing him to Italy. The 22-year-old has become a new target for Partenopei, who have already seen their opening €8m bid rejected.
Napoli’s Interest in Gilmour
Antonio Conte’s Napoli is gradually taking shape, with rigorous training sessions and potential transfers that could reshape the squad in the coming weeks. This includes strengthening the midfield, where Gilmour has emerged as a favored target. According to British media and confirmed by Relevo, Napoli have already made initial approaches for Gilmour. Although Brighton has so far resisted these efforts, further negotiations are expected in the coming days.
Gilmour’s Contract Situation
Gilmour is currently under contract with Brighton until June 30, 2026. Despite Brighton’s desire to retain him, the club has made significant investments in other players, which could potentially open the door for Gilmour’s departure. Recently, Brighton has signed Yankuba Minteh from Newcastle for €16 million, Ibrahim Osman from Nordsjaelland for €12 million, and Mats Wieffer from Feyenoord for over €30 million, which might limit Gilmour’s playing opportunities.
Gilmour’s Recent Performance
Last season, Gilmour was a regular starter for Brighton under Roberto De Zerbi, making 41 appearances without scoring any goals. However, his primary role is not to score but to orchestrate play, a skill he has honed since his early days.
Born in 2001, Gilmour began his football journey with Rangers before being spotted by Chelsea, who invested £500,000 to bring him to London at the age of 16. He made his debut for Chelsea in 2019 under Frank Lampard and was part of the squad that won the Champions League in 2021 under Thomas Tuchel. After a loan spell at Norwich, he moved permanently to Brighton, where he has found consistency and regular playing time.
From Potter to De Zerbi
Gilmour initially joined Brighton to work under Graham Potter, who promised him significant playing time. However, Potter’s departure to Chelsea left Gilmour under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, who also placed great trust in him. De Zerbi’s faith in Gilmour has paid off, with the midfielder becoming a key player for Brighton.
Role Models: Fabregas, Iniesta, and Modric
Gilmour models his game after some of football’s greats. In a 2021 interview with Marca, he said, “I used to study and imitate Cesc Fabregas, Luka Modric, and Andres Iniesta: I base my game on them.” Standing at 170 cm, Gilmour’s strengths lie in his intensity and technical skills rather than physical presence.
