Albion linked to World Cup winner, Kadıoğlu injury update & other Brighton news from the last 7 days (Brighton news roundup Dec. 29 - Jan. 4)
Following back-to-back draws with Aston Villa and Arsenal, let’s look back at all the Brighton news from the last seven days.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Fikayo Tomori - England international linked to Brighton
After their slow start to the Serie A season, AC Milan are looking to move on from center back Fikayo Tomori. Calciomercato claims that I Rossoneri would prefer to sell the Englishman to a Premier League club instead of a fellow Italian club, such as Juventus. The report names Brighton and West Ham as two clubs interested in signing the 27-year-old.
Tomori previously played for Brighton while he was still at Chelsea. He made 10 appearances for the Albion during the 2016-17 season.
Vitor Reis - Brighton submit another bid for Brazilian center back
Reports from Brazil claimed two weeks ago that Brighton had bid £21m for Palmeiras center back Vitor Reis. That bid was rejected, per those reports, as the Brazilian club were unwilling to consider a sale before the Club World Cup this summer. Despite making this stance clear, Brighton have again bid for Reis.
According to Andy Naylor, Guillermo Rai, and Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, Brighton are still working hard to sign the Brazilian wonderkid. Charlie Parker-Turner adds in another report that Brighton have submitted a fresh bid of £23.5m for the 18-year-old. Both reports claim Palmeiras are holding out for at least Palmeiras £25m.
Corentin Tolisso - Seagulls linked to French World Cup winner
L’Equipe has reported that Brighton are interested in Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso. French football regulators have ruled that Lyon need to raise funds before the end of the season, which could mean that Tolisso is available. However, his £150,000/week salary could be an obstacle for Brighton.
The report also claims that Tolisso is happy at Lyon, his boyhood club, and may not want to leave. Fans also don’t want to see Tolisso go. While the 2018 World Cup winner was signing autographs on Thursday, fans shouted to him “Stay at OL, Coco, Brighton sucks.”
Stefan Posch - Failed summer bid revealed, Albion still interested in defender
Italian outlet Quotidiano Sportivo has revealed that Brighton bid between €8-10m for Bologna defender Stefan Posch. After already losing Joshua Zirkzee, Riccardo Calafiori, and others in the summer, I Rossoblù were unwilling to sell the Austrian defender.
Quotidiano Sportivo claims Bologna are now open to selling the 27-year-old. Brighton remain interested in Posch, but it’s believed that he would prefer a move to the Bundesliga.
Outgoing Transfers
Facundo Buonanotte - Tottenham bid for Argentine wonderkid
According to Fichajes, Tottenham have bid €45m (£37.3m) for Argentine attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte. The report doesn’t say whether the bid was outright rejected. It simply says the offer is “on the table,” while Brighton assess Buonanotte’s future after his loan spell with Leicester.
Evan Ferguson - Multiple clubs interested as Irishman seeks game time
With the January transfer window finally open, there are even more reports about Evan Ferguson’s future.
TEAMtalk claim that the Irishman “could become a key target for Tottenham as the January window unfolds” and that Chelsea are monitoring his situation.
The Telegraph and other outlets say West Ham are leading the race for Ferguson right now. The Hammers reportedly want him on loan following injuries to their forwards Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen.
The Independent suggests Everton could make a move for Ferguson along with Spurs, Man Utd, and Arsenal.
talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs has also linked Ferguson to Arsenal, Fulham, West Ham, and Chelsea.
Julio Enciso - Paraguayan to stay amid interest from Spanish and Italian clubs
After a slow start to the season and plenty of comments coming from Paraguay about his future, it now seems that Julio Enciso will not be leaving Brighton this January. ABC TV journalist Juanma Figueredo says the “possibility of a loan exit for Julio Enciso has been ruled out” as Fabian Hurzeler now sees a place for him in his squad.
ESPN reporter Roberto Rojas also confirmed this report. The Paraguayan posted a photo of Enciso with the caption “HE STAYS.”
Other News
Ferdi Kadıoğlu to miss three months with injury
Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu has reported that Ferdi Kadıoğlu will be out for “approximately 3 months” as he recovers from his toe injury. The club have not confirmed this report, but it does seem likely as Kadıoğlu has undergone surgery to address the injury.
Prior reports claimed that the club had hoped surgery would not be necessary. The fact he did need surgery could be a sign that Kadıoğlu’s recovery has not gone as well as was expected.
Valentín Barco packs up Sevilla home, coach all but confirms his exit
Following reports last week that Valentín Barco was leaving Sevilla to join Porto on loan with a buy-option, it’s now abundantly clear that the first half of those reports were true.
Barco’s partner has posted on social media pictures of their belongings packed in boxes ready for a move. Sevilla’s coach, Francisco Javier Garcia Pimienta, revealed that Barco will not be a part of his team until “everything is finished.” He says that Barco has asked not to be involved and believes that the player is actively working towards a move away from Seville.