Baleba Transfer Update, Albion Keeping Tabs on Top Serie A Defender, and Other Brighton News (News Roundup May 4-10)
The Albion’s last chance at European football next season is on the line today against Wolves. Let’s get ready for this huge match by going over all the Brighton news from the last seven days.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Bilal El Khannouss - Seagulls set to swoop in for relegated winger
After one season at Leicester City, TBR Football says that Bilal El Khannouss is ready to leave the club for another Premier League team. Arsenal are the main contender, according to the report, but Brighton, Newcastle, and Tottenham are also “keeping a keen eye on the youngster.”
The Moroccan attacking midfielder notched five goal contributions in 30 league appearances for the Foxes this season. Leicester purchased him for £21m last summer, and are expected to ask for at least that much this year.
Harvey Elliott - Liverpool transfer rumor shot down by new report
With news breaking this week that Harvey Elliott reportedly wants to leave Liverpool, Brighton were one of the clubs mentioned as a potential destination for the Englishman. This week, GiveMeSport claims that the Seagulls are linked to Elliott, but his future is far from decided at this point.
The midfielder is expected to receive offers from multiple European clubs as well as Wolves and Nottingham Forest in England.
Pietro Comuzzo - Brighton considering Fiorentina defender
TBR Football has reported that Brighton are tracking Fiorentina defender Pietro Comuzzo. The report names five other PL clubs who are interested in the 20-year-old (Arsenal, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Man United and Newcastle), so it’s likely the player leaves this summer.
The Albion are currently just “keeping close tabs” on the player but could enter the race later in the summer. That said, Comuzzo is on a long-term deal, so it’s just as likely that the Seagulls get priced out of a move.
Abdoulie Manneh - Albion eyeing another young star from Scandinavia
Following the successes of Yasin Ayari, Simon Adingra, and Yankuba Minteh, Brighton are looking to the Scandinavian market yet again. According to Africa Foot, the Seagulls are “closely monitoring” Mjällby AIF forward Abdoulie Manneh.
The Gambian has scored five goals in seven matches so far for the Allsvenskan club. He is under contract through December 2027. Wolves are also reportedly interested.
Moise Dieudonne Diarrassouba - Brighton tracking 16-year-old Ivorian winger
Another Africa Foot report claims that Brighton, West Ham and, Benfica are all interested in 16-year-old Ivorian winger Moise Dieudonne Diarrassouba. Negotiations with the Portuguese club are “particularly advanced,” but Brighton have made inquiries after watching the player at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Georgios Vagiannidis - Reports say Seagulls have bid on Panathinaikos RB
Greek outlet Athlitiki Kyriaki (via NewsPao) has reported that Panathinaikos right back Georgios Vagiannidis is “one step away” from joining a PL club. The story claims that Brighton and Everton have already submitted bids for the 23-year-old. Other clubs could also submit bids, but the report says that “everything indicates Vagiannidis will continue his career in the PL next season.”
Outgoing Transfers
Carlos Baleba - City scouts seen watching Albion wonderkid
The Daily Mail’s Jack Gaughan has reported that Manchester City scouts spent time watching Carlos Baleba in January ahead of a potential move this summer.
In a separate report, The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims “Baleba has many admirers…However, I imagine Brighton have no desire or need to sell him in this summer’s window and when that is the case, they tend to get their way…
“He has enjoyed a superb first couple of years with them and is under contract until 2028. That puts Brighton in a position of great strength. There is also no indication he is agitating for a move. So it would take a king’s ransom for Brighton to even consider parting with Baleba — and I’m not aware of anyone preparing to go to such lengths at present.” (emphasis added)
Bart Verbruggen - Chelsea shortlist Seagulls keeper, unlikely to complete signing
Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen has been linked to Chelsea for months. However, a new report from GiveMeSport says the Blues are losing confidence in their ability to sign the Dutchman this summer.
“Chelsea are increasingly unlikely to lure Bart Verbruggen to Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window as Brighton & Hove Albion are growing in confidence that he will opt to remain in his current surroundings instead of embarking on a fresh challenge,” according to reporters Danny Rust and Dean Jones.
They add that Verbruggen’s likely price tag is around the £50m mark and that the player’s desire to be settled ahead of the 2026 World Cup could be a factor that leads him to stay at Brighton for another year.
Brighton Women announce five end-of-season departures
The club announced on Monday that Poppy Pattinson, Maria Thorisdottir, Guro Bergsvand, Dejana Stefanovic, and Pauline Bremer will not be returning to Brighton Women next season. They will leave the club when their contracts expire in June.
Other News & Media
Brighton Women take on Aston Villa on final WSL matchday
Dario Vidosic, Vicky Losada, and the rest of the Brighton Women squad play Aston Villa today at 12.30pm BST (7:30am ET) at Villa Park. Barring a negative ten-goal swing, the Albion will finish fifth in the WSL, their best ever league finish. You can watch the match for free on YouTube here.
Bayer Leverkusen consider Hurzeler appointment
With Xabi Alonso on his way to Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen are looking for a new manager. According to SportBILD (via Sport Witness), Die Werkself have considered Fabian Hurzeler for the role. The German “fascinates them,” but the Bundesliga side are not optimistic that they could pry Hurzeler from Brighton.
Albion Awards
The club held its 2024/25 Players’ Awards ceremony on Wednesday. Jan Paul van Hecke won the Men’s Players’ Player of the Season, while fellow Dutch international Marisa Olislagers won the Women’s award.
You can find a full list of winners here and watch the ceremony back here. The club have also posted shorter videos of brief interviews and acceptance speeches on the Brighton YouTube channel.
Seagulls stars shortlisted for WSL season awards
Brighton Women manager Dario Vidosic, players Kiko Seike and Michelle Agyemang, and supporter Jo Davies have been nominated for WSL end-of-season awards.
Seike is one of nine players nominated for the prestigious WSL Player of the Season award (vote here).
Vidosic has been shortlisted for the WSL Manager of the Season award.
Agyemang has been nominated for the WSL Rising Star trophy.
Davies has been honored with a Fan of the Year award nomination.
Carlos Baleba wins Premier League Goal of the Month for April
Carlos Baleba’s match-winning strike against West Ham has earned him the Premier League Goal of the Month for April. Yasin Ayari was also nominated for the award for his goal against the Hammers. Watch Baleba’s well-struck effort here.
Tom McGill signs new two-year contract
Long-time reserve goalkeeper Tom McGill has agreed to stay at Brighton until June 2027. The Canadian has signed a new contract following a successful loan stint at MK Dons, where he played 25 league matches before being by Brighton recalled in February.
Fan Advisory Board elections underway
Season ticket holders, 1901 Club members, and MyAlbion+ members can now vote for new members of Brighton’s Fan Advisory Board. You can read about the six candidates and how to vote here.
Tony Bloom submits bid for 29% stake in Hearts
Multiple sources reported on Tuesday that Brighton owner-chairman Tony Bloom has made a bid to buy 29% of Scottish club Hearts for £9.86m. Foundation of Hearts (FoH) Chairman Gerry Mallon confirmed the report in a video statement, where he called Bloom’s potential investment “a fantastic deal for both parties.”
The FoH is currently Hearts’ major shareholder. A majority of its members will need to approve Bloom’s bid before it can be accepted. There will now be a 20-day consultation period that will conclude on May 26. Members will vote shortly after this period.
Injury News
All quotes are from Fabian Hurzeler unless otherwise noted.
Solly March “will be out for the rest of the season. Hopefully he will be back for pre-season…it’s not a new injury. It’s just some moments you have to repair something, you have to clean in the knee.”
Kaoru Mitoma “is back…he will be an option for tomorrow.”
Georginio Rutter “is doing rehab, so he won't be an option for tomorrow, but hopefully we will see him this season.”
James Milner “is back on the pitch now with the team, but with the rehab coaches.”
João Pedro is still out serving his red card suspension. He will eligible to return in Matchweek 37.
Ferdi Kadioglu is out for the season.
Interviews
Bart Verbruggen discussed the race for Europe and his performance against Newcastle in an interview with the club website.
Former player Billy Gilmour discussed his decision to join Napoli and how he’s settling in Italy in an interview with NapoliCalcio24.
PSV’s Olivier Boscagli spoke to ESPN about how angry and disappointed he was to not be able to join Brighton last summer.