Bischoff deal officially off, Brugge defender linked & other Brighton news from the last 7 days (Brighton news roundup Feb. 16-22)
Back in the top half.
The Albion could end up in sixth place if they win against Bournemouth on Tuesday. Before that big game, let’s get caught up on all the latest Brighton news from the last seven days.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Joel Ordoñez - Albion to potentially break transfer record for Brugge defender
Ecuadorian journalist Jorge Baravalle (via Voetbal Nieuws) has reported that Brighton have sent scouts to watch Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez in the Champions League. The Albion are reportedly very keen on signing the center back, but other clubs are also interested.
Ordoñez has been linked to Chelsea, Aston Villa and Newcastle, but Brighton currently lead the race. Whoever signs Ordoñez, it will be for a huge fee. The report says the Brugge want to break the current Belgian transfer record of €37.5m when they sell Ordoñez.
Clement Bischoff - Brøndby left back no longer a target after failed contract talks
Brighton had agreed to sign Clement Bischoff just days after the January transfer window slammed shut. However, the deal for the Brøndby left back fell apart after he visited Brighton and was unable to agree on personal terms with the club.
A new report from Denmark (via Sport Witness) claims that there is no chance of Brighton signing Bischoff in the summer. “Our sources say neither party are interested in resuming talks,” said BT journalist Lasse Vøge.
Tommy Watson - Albion still interested in winger after January deal falls through
Leading EFL reporter Alan Nixon has revealed that Brighton are still interested in Sunderland’s Tommy Watson after missing out on signing the winger in January. However, he says that the Seagulls are hoping to pay far less than the £8.5 fee they agreed to last month. If they can’t sign him for much less than that, Brighton will consider other options.
Anton & Bailey Palmer - Brighton looking to sign Middlesbrough twin stars
TBR Football has reported that Brighton have been “closely watching” Middlesbrough twin duo Anton and Bailey Palmer. Both players are regulars for the England U17 squad and have made multiple first-team appearances for Michael Carrick’s Boro side. Chelsea, Tottenham, and Aston Villa are also reportedly interested.
Juanlu Sánchez - Sevilla right back linked again
Brighton have once again been linked to Sevilla right back Juanlu Sánchez. According to Mundo Deportivo, the 21-year-old is still on the radar of several top clubs, including Brighton, Real Madrid, and RB Leipzig. Everton and Galatasaray are also in the fray.
Juanlu’s contract expires in June 2026. He has a €20m release clause, which Sevilla are hoping to at least double if they can convince him to sign a new contract with the club.
Outgoing Transfers
Carlos Baleba - Liverpool linked to Cameroonian amid interest from other clubs
GIVEMESPORT have reported that big clubs are already lining up to sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba for a huge transfer fee. Manchester City and Liverpool are the two main names linked. The report says Liverpool are “monitoring” the defensive midfielder and could be willing to strike first this summer to avoid losing out like they did with Moises Caicedo.
However, GIVEMESPORT also says that Brighton are “adamant that they are not willing to listen to offers due to a wish to retain Baleba's services for at least one more season.”
Tariq Lamptey - Ajax monitoring Brighton fullback
After first expressing interest in January, Ajax are still keeping tabs on Tariq Lamptey. The Mirror’s Ryan Taylor says the Dutch giants are trying to convince Lamptey to sign on a free transfer this summer. They have opened private talks with the fullback and are open to offering a long-term contract.
Other News & Media
Brighton Technical Director David Weir set to snub Everton
Multiple outlets (Football Insider, The Telegraph) reported last week that Brighton Technical Director David Weir was Everton’s top target to be their new sporting director. The Mirror now reports that Weir is set to snub his former club to stay at Brighton.
Yun Do-young - New signing’s arrival potentially delayed
Andy Naylor revealed in a profile of Yun Do-young that the South Korean wonderkid is not expected to join Brihgton right away after the Under-20s Asian Cup in China. He could even play for his current club, Daejeon Hana Citizen, for the 2025 K League 1 season before joining Brighton in January 2026. However, the club hopes to secure a loan to another European club instead.
Brighton honor long-time Japanese fan with trip to the Amex
Brighton and the Premier League welcomed Kazuo 'Charlie' Sobajima to the Amex for the Seagulls’ 3-0 over Chelsea in the Premier League. Sobajima first started following the Albion in 1973 when he was living in Brighton. He left England in 1978, but continued to support the club from afar.
If you haven’t seen the video detailing Sobajima’s journey, you can watch it here.
Valentín Barco's father slams Boca Juniors for forcing Brighton transfer
Brighton loaned Valentín Barco to Strasbourg on a deal with a mandatory buy-option. This means, for all intents and purposes, he is not a Brighton player. With that being said, he is still attracting controversy for the Seagulls.
Barco’s father, Walter, posted on Instagram this week that Barco did not want to leave Boca Juniors and that Valentín “wanted to stay for at least two more years” and that Boca’s higher ups grabbed him and told him to accept the offer. Walter says he was told: “If you get an offer to take him, don't hesitate, this is about money.”
Boca Juniors have claimed they did not want to sell Barco and that it was his agents who forced the deal. The player claims he would have stayed in Argentina, but Boca Juniors refused to pick up the phone during contract renegotiations.