Bid for Brazilian wonderkid rejected, Man City linked to Ferguson & other Brighton news from the last 7 days (Brighton news roundup Dec. 15-21)
It wasn’t a win, but Brighton’s 1-1 with West Ham means the Seagulls still have an undefeated record at the London Stadium. Let’s go over that result and all the Brighton news from the last seven days that you might have missed.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Vitor Reis - Palmeiras reject £21m bid for wonderkid center back
According to ESPN Brazil, Palmeiras have rejected a £21m bid from Brighton for Vitor Reis. The 18-year-old is one of the brightest center back prospects in the world. He has previously been linked to Real Madrid, PSG, and other giant clubs across Europe.
Reis has an £83m release clause. Palmeiras are unwilling to negotiate with Brighton or any club until after the upcoming Club World Cup next summer.
Norman Bassette - Brighton tracking Coventry City forward
Football League World’s Adam Jones has reported that Brighton have taken interest in Coventry City forward Norman Bassette. The 20-year-old Belgian has scored two goals in 13 appearances for the Sky Blues. Newcastle are also reportedly interested. However, it’s unlikely either club makes a move for him in January.
Mio Backhaus - Barcelona and Brighton interested in Werder Bremen goalkeeper
Sky Sports Germany claim that Brighton and Barcelona are keeping an eye on Werder Bremen’s Mio Backhaus as a potential long-term goalkeeping option. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan with Volendam in the Eredivisie where he made 33 appearances. Backhaus has been a reserve player for Bremen so far this season.
Charlie Wilson-Papps - Seagulls spend “substantial six-figure fee” on U15 goalie
AFC Wimbledon revealed on Thursday that Brighton had signed Under-15 goalkeeper Charlie Wilson-Papps for an undisclosed but “substantial six-figure fee.” The new Seagulls player has previously represented England at the Under-15s level.
Outgoing Transfers
Evan Ferguson - Man City linked, Fulham looking to make loan signing
GiveMeSport have reported that Evan Ferguson “could be targeted” by Manchester City as the Sky Blues look to hastily rebuild and salvage their season in January. The report also says that Leicester City, West Ham United and Southampton are all “keeping tabs” on the Irishman ahead of the January window.
Fulham are also apparently in the mix for Ferguson. According to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, the Cottagers are “investigating” a deal for the 20-year-old following a request for front-line reinforcements by Fulham manager Marco Silva.
Julio Enciso - Sevilla want Paraguayan on loan in January
While Valentín Barco is not getting much game time at Sevilla, Los Nervionenses believe Julio Enciso is a great fit for their current squad and want to sign the Paraguayan on loan in January.
Super Deporte and other Spanish outlets have reported that Sevilla view Enciso as a valuable depth option who could improve their squad right away. The reports also speculate that a loan could lead to a permanent transfer due to Enciso’s contract expiring in June 2026.
Other News
Brighton are considering recalling Malick Yalcouyé from Sturm Graz
After an “outstanding” start to life on loan at Sturm Graz, Austrian outlet Kleine Zeitung claim Brighton are considering terminating Malick Yalcouyé’s loan early. The report claims that “Yalcouyé is actually too good for Austria's Bundesliga,” which makes “a loan to Sturm until the summer seem very questionable.”
Yalcouyé has been a key player for Sturm Graz so far this season. He has started all six of the club’s Champions League fixtures so far. The 19-year-old has also chipped in with two goals in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Valentín Barco open to cutting loan short in January
According to Revelo’s José Manuel Rodríguez y Marcos Durán, Valentín Barco is open to leaving Sevilla in January. Despite playing just 458 minutes of football since August when he joined the club, Durán and Rodríguez say that neither Brighton nor Sevilla were willing to end the loan without Barco’s blessings.
Now that the Argentine is open to leaving, it’s very likely that he is back in Brighton next month. Especially since his current manager, García Pimienta, recently revealed that he believes there are two better left backs in his Sevilla side than Barco.