Brighton have had a bid rejected for Braga forward Abel Ruiz, who has been capped twice at international level by Spain.

While the Seagulls are enjoying an excellent 2021/22 campaign – sitting ninth in the Premier League – their lack of composure in front of goal has cost them points at times throughout the season.

Neal Maupay is their current league top scorer with seven goals, while Alexis Mac Allister and Leandro Trossard have chipped in with four each.

However, Brighton are on the lookout for more options up front as they look to turn their regular possession dominance into greater attacking threat, and 90min understands a bid for Spain international Ruiz – who is also interesting Ligue 1 strugglers Troyes – has been turned down.

The 21-year-old has managed two Primeira Liga goals so far this season but has mainly had to put up with substitute appearances, starting just five league games. He also made four appearances in the Europa League as Braga finished second in Group F to set up a knockout round playoff Moldovan outfit Sheriff Tiraspol.

Ruiz came through the ranks at Valencia before joining Barcelona, where he regularly featured for their B team. He made his La Liga debut for the Catalan giants in May 2019 in a 2-0 win over Getafe before being sent on loan to Braga in January 2020 with a mandatory €8m purchase clause as well as a buy-back option.

He made his international debut for Spain in the buildup to Euro 2020 when a number of La Roja players were forced into Covid-19 isolation, missing a penalty during a 4-0 victory over Lithuania.

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