Albion closing in on two top targets, Stuttgart preparing final Undav offer, & other Brighton news from the last 7 days (Brighton news roundup July 14-20)
More signings incoming?
Brighton’s men’s and women’s teams have completed 12 signings so far this summer. If the latest transfer rumors are to be believed, the Seagulls are just getting started. Let’s get caught up on the ins and outs from the last seven days.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Diego Gómez - Top transfer target reveals talks with Brighton are ongoing
Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gómez told media in the US this week that his agent “is speaking to Inter Miami and Brighton & Hove Albion.” Top MLS reporter Tom Bogert revealed on Saturday that Brighton are close to signing Gómez for “around $15 million (£11.6m).” Bogert’s report also explained that, if signed, Gómez will stay with Inter Miami until January.
Gómez, 21, is one of the best young players in MLS. He is mostly a defensive player, but he has also shown a knack for goal, scoring 9 goals in under 1,000 MLS minutes since last summer.
Brajan Gruda - Brighton make a move for a “dream” target
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday that Mainz attacking midfielder Brajan Gruda is a “dream” transfer target for Brighton this summer. This initial report said that it would be a difficult deal to get done since Mainz did not want to sell.
Since then other reports from Romano and journalists in Germany claim that a deal for Gruda is very possible. Brighton have made contact with the 19-year-old and that personal terms are not an issue. The clubs now need to discuss a transfer fee.
Ferdi Kadıoğlu - Brighton bid €25m, fighting Sevilla & Dortmund for Turkish RB
Brighton’s pursuit of Fenerbahçe right back Ferdi Kadıoğlu took another twist this week. Multiple outlets in Turkey claim that the Seagulls bid €25m (£21.1m) for the versatile defender. However, they are not the only club chasing him. Sevilla reportedly also submitted a bid of €27m (£22.8m). Dortmund are also still in the race.
Fenerbahçe are waiting for an offer that meets their £25m+ valuation of the player.
Carlos Soler - Brighton linked to PSG outcast
Le Parisien are reporting that Brighton are interested in signing PSG midfielder Carlos Soler. The Seagulls were linked to him last summer along with Aston Villa. PSG signed him from Valencia for €18m (£15.2m) in 2022. The Parisians could be willing to let him go for as little as €15m (£12.6m) this summer.
Kevin Mier - Seagulls still interested in 24-year-old Colombian GK
Reports from Mexico and Colombia claim that Brighton are still interested in signing Cruz goalkeeper Kevin Mier. The Mexican club reportedly want between €8m-€12m (£6.7m-£10.1m) for the Colombian.
Aisha Masaka - Brighton Women make history with Tanzanian signing
Brighton Women completed their sixth signing of the summer window on Wednesday by signing striker Aisha Masaka from Swedish club BK Hacken. The 20-year-old brings Champions League experience and plenty of goal scoring talent to the Seagulls.
Masaka is also a historic signing for Brighton. She is the first female Tanzanian player signed to a WSL club. Masaka is just the second Tanzanian international ever contracted to a top division English club after Aston Villa’s Mbwana Samatta.
Henry Kasvosve - Bristol City academy player targeted by Brighton
According to local outlet Bristol City Live, the Robins are fighting Brighton to keep young academy player Henry Kasvosve. The 16-year-old is one of the club’s best prospects.
Outgoing Transfers
Deniz Undav - Stuttgart preparing final offer for star striker
VfB Stuttgart are preparing a final bid between €24-€25m (£20m-£21m) for Deniz Undav. BILD reporter Felix Arnold revealed that the bid will be submitted sometime this week and that Undav’s future will be decided before the end of the month.
Reds manager Sebastian Hoeneß also admitted this week that he is not sure if Undav will be a Stuttgart player next season. “We have to wait and see what comes of it (the Undav transfer). I know Deniz well and I hope that it will work. But the negotiating partner is not an easy one,” Hoeneß said.
Billy Gilmour - Napoli have “concrete” interest in Scottish midfielder
Napoli have identified Billy Gilmour as one of their biggest transfer targets for this summer. Italian reporter Matteo Moretto broke news on Saturday that the club are “following” Gilmour.
talkSPORT’s Alex Crook further reported that Napoli have submitted an £8m bid for the Scotsman. Brighton rejected the bid, but could be willing to let Gilmour go if Napoli increase their bid to £12m.
Kacper Kozłowski - Polish international joins Gaziantep FK in permanent transfer
Brighton have sold midfielder Kacper Kozlowski to Turkish Super League side Gaziantep FK for an undisclosed fee. The former Golden Boy nominee spent the last two seasons on loan with Vitesse in the Eredivisie. He did not make a first team appearance for Brighton in his 2.5 seasons at the club.
Elisabeth Terland - Brighton Women lose all-time WSL top scorer
Brighton Women have officially confirmed this week that Elisabeth Terland will not be returning to the club next season. The Norwegian international’s contract expired in June. She has agreed to a deal with Manchester United.
Terland leaves Brighton as Albion’s all-time top goal scorer in the WSL with 20 goals in 39 league matches.
Carl Rushworth - Ipswich Town give up pursuit of 23-year-old Brighton GK
Ipswich Town transfer target Carl Rushworth will not be joining the Tractor Boys this season. The club were reportedly insistent on signing the 23-year-old goalie to a permanent deal, while Brighton were only willing to let him go out on loan.
Pascal Groß - Seagulls expect “at least one more season” with club legend
The Argus’ Brian Owen reported this week that Brighton, despite reports from Germany, are not pessimistic about losing Pascal Groß this summer. The veteran reporter claims that Brighton higher-ups are “looking forward to at least one more season” with Groß.
Reports from Germany last week claimed that the Brighton legend has agreed to a two-year deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Noël Atom - Anderlecht pursuing deal for U21 defender
Belgian side Anderlecht have approached Brighton about 19-year-old defender Noël Atom. The Seagulls signed the young German from RB Leipzig just last summer. According to Fabrizio Romano, the club are willing to let Atom go for €2.5m (£2.1m).
Mark O'Mahony - Championship clubs interested in loan deal for U21 star
Transfer blog Football Insider has reported that multiple Championship clubs are interested in signing Brighton’s Mark O'Mahony on loan this season. The 19-year-old Irishman made three appearances for the Seagulls first team last season.
Other News
Bart Verbruggen injured for 6 weeks with “unspecified injury”
Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke has reported that Brighton No. 1 GK Bart Verbruggen will miss at least 6 weeks of action after suffering an “unspecified injury.”
The club have not confirmed this report. However, Goal Japan did not include Verbruggen in their list of players going to Japan on the club’s summer tour.
Julio Enciso to play for Paraguay at Paris Olympics
Brighton have allowed Julio Enciso to join Paraguay’s Paris Olympics squad. As a non-FIFA event, the club did not have to let the player go and initially were unwilling to let him go. Enciso told Paraguayan media that he pleaded with Brighton owner Tony Bloom to be given permission to play in the Olympics. Bloom eventually relented.
Paraguay’s first match is against Japan on July 24th at 7pm in Bordeaux. Brighton transfer target Diego Gómez is also a part of the Paraguay Olympics squad.
Brighton announce new home kit
The Albion’s new home kit was officially announced on Monday. With blue stripes on a white shirt, Brighton have not done anything too controversial with this year’s kit. However, some fans have criticized the large “Experience Kissimmee” shirt sleeve sponsor.
Seagulls embark on Japan tour
Brighton touched down in Tokyo on Saturday to start their summer tour of Japan. The Seagulls are set to play Kashima Antlers on Wednesday, July 24 at 7pm local time (11am BST). On Saturday, Brighton will play the newly-promoted Tokyo Verdy at 6:30pm local time (10:30am BST).
Brighton beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 in closed-door friendly
Before the Seagulls embarked for Japan, they played in a closed-door friendly against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. For some reason, details on these sorts of friendlies are very hard to come by. Who played in the match and who scored is unknown. However, according to Sheffield Wednesday reporter Joe Crann, Brighton won the match 3-0.
Albion announce new Fan Engagement Plan
Brighton and the club’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB) have announced a new Fan Engagement Plan for the 2024/25 season. The new initiatives include a new external fan zone at the Amex and working groups to increase matchday atmosphere at Brighton Women’s WSL matches. You can learn more on the club website here.