Brighton tracking another RB, Napoli targeting Billy Gilmour, & other Brighton news from the last 7 days (Brighton news roundup July 21-27)
Another week, another news roundup.
Brighton are on their Japanese tour and some key players have been linked to moves away from the club. Let’s get caught up on all the latest news from the last seven days.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Alexander Bah - Brighton interested in Benfica right back
Brighton journalist Charlie Parker-Turner reported this week that Brighton have opened “preliminary talks” with Benfica right back Alexander Bah. Portuguese outlets have since confirmed this report. Most claim it would take €20m (£16.9m) to sign Bah.
The Danish right back has missed 32 matches with injury since joining Benfica in 2022.
James Rodríguez - World Cup Golden Boot winner offered to Brighton
Colombian superstar James Rodríguez is looking for a move to Europe after taking his national team to the Copa America final this summer. Portuguese outlet O Jogo has reported that the 33-year-old has offered himself to five Premier League clubs, including Brighton.
Jordan James - Albion interested in £10m Birmingham City star
Brighton are in the running for Birmingham City midfielder Jordan James. The 20-year-old was one of the Blues’ most consistent players last season. Newcastle, Brentford, and Brighton are all interested. Ipswich Town are reportedly leading the race. Birmingham want at least £10m for the 11-capped Welsh international.
Brajan Gruda (update) - “Dream” transfer target wants to leave current club
Sports Bild has reported that Brajan Gruda wants to leave Mainz this summer. Brighton is his preferred transfer destination. However, Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are also interested.
Mainz want €50m (£42.3m) for Gruda. This is believed to me more than Leverkusen can afford. Brighton can afford this asking price. However, it’s unclear whether the Seagulls are actually willing to submit such a large bid.
Georginio Rutter (update) - Brighton preparing second bid for Leeds star
Football Insider’s Pete O'Rourke claims the Seagulls are set to make another bid for Leeds United’s Georginio Rutter before the end of the transfer window.
Outgoing Transfers
Facundo Buonanotte - Feyenoord make loan bid for Argentine wonderkid
After selling Mats Wieffer to Brighton, Feyenoord have contacted the Seagulls about signing Facundo Buonanotte on loan. According to 1908.nl—a source who correctly reported on the Wieffer transfer saga throughout—Feyenoord have made a bid to bring Buonanotte in on loan.
Joël Veltman and Tariq Lamptey - Futures uncertain as Brighton looks for new RB
Brighton have been linked to a number of right backs this transfer window. A new report from Caught Offside now claims that the Seagulls won’t be able to sign any new right backs if they cannot offload their current right-sided defenders.
The report says that Brighton are looking to offload Joël Veltman and/or Tariq Lamptey before they bid for Benfica’s Alexander Bah.
Igor - AC Milan considering a bid
Brighton left-sided defender Igor is one of many center backs AC Milan are reportedly monitoring this transfer window. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, is a long-term transfer target for I Rossoneri. Negotiations are expected to start soon.
Carl Rushworth - Albion delaying decision on young GK’s future
Tier 1 Brighton reporter Andy Naylor revealed this week that Brighton have delayed making a decision on whether to sell or loan Carl Rushworth this window after Bart Verbruggen suffered an injury this week. The 23-year-old GK was previously a top transfer target of Ipswich Town. He spent last year on loan at Swansea City.
Tom McGill - Canadian GK joins MK Dons on loan
Brighton third-string goalkeeper from last season Tom McGill has joined League Two side MK Dons on loan. It will be the Canadian’s second move to a League Two side, having previously played for Crawley Town on loan in the 2020/21 season.
Marc Leonard - Young midfielder sold for £500k to Birmingham
Brighton have sold Scottish midfielder Marc Leonard to League One side Birmingham City for a reported £500k. Leonard spent the last two seasons on loan with Northampton Town. He made two first team appearances for Brighton.
Julio Enciso - Brighton set asking price amid Chelsea interest
Spanish outlet Fichajes have reported that Brighton have placed a €40m (£33.8m) price tag on Julio Enciso after Chelsea declared their interest in the midfielder. Brighton signed Enciso for around £11m i
Billy Gilmour (update) - Napoli preparing second bid for 23-year-old Scotsman
Last week, Brighton rejected an £8m bid from Napoli for Billy Gilmour. This week, Fabrizio Romano and other journalists have reported that the Azzurri are preparing a new bid that will be sent soon.
Gilmour is reportedly open to joining Napoli. However, no reports say that he has explicitly asked for a move.
Pascal Groß (update) - Brighton unwilling to budge on asking price
Borussia Dortmund’s pursuit of Pascal Groß hit a snag this week. Multiple German reports claim Brighton are unwilling to budge on their €10m (£8.5m) evaluation of Groß. On the other end, Dortmund have been unwilling to bid more than €8m (£6.8m) for the club legend.
Samy Chouchane - Eupen, Bristol City, & others interested in Brighton youngster
Foot Mercato has reported that multiple clubs in Europe and England are interested in signing Brighton U21 midfielder Samy Chouchane on loan. Championship side Bristol City is the most notable club interested in the 20-year-old. An unnamed Ligue 2 side, Eupen (Belgium), Lucerne (Switzerland), and Eldense (Spain) are also interested.
Other News
Brighton beat Kashima Antlers 5-1 in Tokyo
The Seagulls kicked off their Japan tour with a convincing 5-1 win over 8-time J1 League winners Kashima Antlers. New manager Fabian Hürzeler ran out a very aggressive side with four forwards and only one natural center back in the starting lineup.
Club record signing, Yankuba Minteh, opened the scoring just 15 minutes in. Jeremy Jeremy Sarmiento doubled the lead in the 52nd minute. Yasin Ayari scored two minutes later and Amario Cozier-Duberry scored two goals at the 63 and 74 minute marks.
Mats Wieffer injured and out of training
New signing Mats Wieffer has not taken part in full training with Brighton during their Japanese tour. According to Argus reporter Brian Owen, the Dutchman is still recovering from an injury he picked up with Feyenoord last season.
Wieffer is not at serious risk of missing the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season. The club are just choosing to be as safe as possible with their new star.
Sahil Bashir and Charlie Penman sign first professional contracts
U18 team stars Sahil Bashir and Charlie Penman have signed their first professional contracts with the Seagulls. Bashir, 18, joined Brighton from Bradford City in 2022. Penman, also 18, came from Blackpool in 2021.
Brighton set piece coach Nick Stanley joins Norwich
Beleaguered Brighton set piece coach Nick Stanley has left the club to join Norwich City. Let’s hope this changes Albion’s notoriously poor set piece record.
Sam Baldock joins Brighton coaching staff
Former Brighton striker Sam Baldock has joined the club as a Pathway Development Coach. The Wimbledon academy graduate retired from football in 2023. He played four seasons with Brighton between 2014-2018, helping the club gain promotion to the Premier League.
Jayson Molumby brawls
Irish international and former Brighton midfielder punched a Mallorca defender in the face during a friendly this week. Not really related to Brighton. It’s just a very funny video. See below.
Great round up Cody