Coppola Signing Announced, Van Hecke Linked to Newcastle, and Other Brighton News (News Roundup June 16-22)
Another week, another new signing. Let’s get caught up on the Diego Coppola deal, Newcastle’s interest in Jan Paul van Hecke, and all the other Brighton news from the last seven days.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Diego Coppola - Albion sign Hellas Verona center-back
Brighton have officially signed Hellas Verona center-back Diego Coppola for a reported €11m fee. The 21-year-old Italian international is a very physical defender. He won more aerial duels than any other U-23 player in Europe’s Big Five leagues last season (via SCOUTED).
Fabian Hurzeler says that Coppola is “an exciting addition for the club,” and that “he is tall, strong and mobile and he will give us a real physical presence.”
Moeka Minami - Brighton Women sign Japanese international
Brighton Women have signed Japanese international Moeka Minami from Roma for a reported €100k. The 26-year-old center-back is the Seagulls’ first signing of the summer as they look to build on last season’s historic fifth-place finish.
Head coach Dario Vidosic called Minami “an exciting addition to our squad” with “vast experience both for her country and in Europe.”
Yoon Do-Young - Korean youngster plays last game ahead of Brighton move
Brighton announced the signing of South Korean youngster Yoon Do-Young back in March. The 18-year-old is now set to finally officially join the Albion. The winger made his final appearance for Daejeon Hana Citizen on Wednesday.
Do-Young was in tears after the match, during which he was also honored with a ceremonial plane ticket to celebrate his departure to Brighton. In an interview after the match, Do-Young talked about how he has already received feedback from Brighton. He also confirmed that he will likely spend this season away from the club on loan somewhere else in Europe.
Wesley França - Albion bid £20m for Flamengo right-back
According to The Telegraph, Brighton have bid “a bid in the region of £20 million” for Flamengo full-back Wesley França. This is not the first time that the Albion have been linked to the 21-year-old. In June 2024, the club reportedly bid just £3.4m for the Brazilian. The bid was obviously rejected.
It’s unclear whether Flamengo will accept this more recent offer. However, comments from the club’s sporting director José Boto indicate that it’s unlikely. He told Brazilian media that €20m (£17m) would not be enough. He is hoping to receive at least €30m (£25m) for the full-back.
Patrick Wimmer - Seagulls “ready to sign” Wolfsburg winger
German newspaper Allgemeine Zeitung (via BuliNews) claims that Brighton are pushing hard to sign Wolfsburg midfielder Patrick Wimmer. The player, though, is hesitant to agree to a deal this summer due to interest from other clubs.
RB Leipzig are the main club vying for the 24-year-old’s signature. Wolfsburg have reportedly put a €20m price tag on Wimmer. This is a fee Leipzig are willing to pay.
Cuiabano - Seagulls to submit another bid for Botafogo left-back
After a deal with Nottingham Forest for Cuiabano fell through, Botafogo owner John Textor revealed that he expects to receive another bid from Brighton for the left back.
Speaking on SportTV (as reported by João Pedro Fragoso), the former Palace owner said that nothing is certain at the moment and that Brighton have indicated that they will submit another offer. The Albion have reportedly had three bids rejected already.
Harvey Elliott - Albion preparing £40m bid for Liverpool midfielder
The Sun has reported that Brighton are preparing a bombshell £40m bid for Liverpool midfielder. The Premier League winner has been regularly linked to Brighton since at least this January.
Arseniy Batagov - Seagulls linked to Ukrainian defender
According to Turkish outlet Sporx, Brighton are keeping tabs on Trabzonspor center-back Arseniy Batagov. The 23-year-old could be available for €20m and the Süper Lig club are reportedly willing to sell.
Batagov played 23 matches for Trabzonspor last season and was a key player in Ukraine’s promising U21 side that competed in the U21 Euros this summer.
Nils Ramming - Brighton close to signing Frankfurt goalkeeper
Sport Bild (via Sport Witness) has reported that Brighton are close to signing Eintracht Frankfurt U21 goalkeeper Nils Ramming for €850k. The 18-year-old grew up in London and is reportedly “desperate” for a move back to England to jump-start his career.
Outgoing Transfers
Jan Paul van Hecke - Newcastle hold talks with Brighton center-back
Journalist Charlie Haffenden has reported that Newcastle United have “initiated transfer talks” with Jan Paul van Hecke’s camp. The Dutchman, who got married last week, has been linked to Newcastle since earlier this year.
Matt O’Riley - Napoli bid €30m for disgruntled midfielder
Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas has reported that Napoli have submitted a formal €30m bid for Matt O’Riley. He adds that “talks are ongoing” and that Brighton “will entertain offers” for the midfielder that meet their valuation of him.
Multiple other Serie A clubs are also interested in O’Riley. I reported exclusively last week that Juventus have held discussions with the player. Atalanta and Roma are also reportedly in talks with the former Celtic man.
João Pedro - Chelsea add Brighton forward to their transfer shortlist
talkSPORT reporters Alex Crook and Alex Conrad revealed on Tuesday that Newcastle fear that Chelsea may “hijack” their move for Brighton’s João Pedro. The report didn’t say whether the Blues were in talks with the Albion and/or Pedro’s camp. However, according to a UOL report on Wednesday, Chelsea tried to sign the Brazilian before the start of the Club World Cup.
Fabrizio Romano also chimed in on Wednesday following these reports. The Italian transfer journalist said that Pedro is one of the players on Chelsea’s shortlist for this summer.
Igor Julio - Real Sociedad keen on Brazilian defender
Three different reports this week have linked Brighton’s Igor Julio to La Liga side Real Sociedad. The Express Sport’s Charlie Parker-Turner broke the story first, saying, “Real Sociedad have shortlisted Brighton star Igor as one of their key targets for the summer transfer window.”
AS and Marca (via Sport Witness) confirmed these reports. Both Spanish newspapers say that La Real have identified Igor as a solid replacement for West Ham United’s Nayef Aguerd, who was at the club last season on loan. AS also adds that “several LaLiga clubs are interested in Igor.”
Eiran Cashin - Loan likely for former Derby defender
The same Express Sport report above also revealed that Brighton also have plans to loan out Eiran Cashin. “The Irishman has suitors in the Championship and Bundesliga,” said reporter Charlie Parker-Turner.
Evan Ferguson - Forward offered to PSV Eindhoven
According to Football Insider, Brighton are preparing to send Evan Ferguson out on loan again this season. The club has reportedly offered the Irishman to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Everton and Nottingham Forest have “registered interest” in the 20-year-old.
Kaoru Mitoma - Bayern keeping tabs on Brighton winger amid Nico Williams saga
With Nico Williams close to agreeing to join Barcelona, Bayern Munich are ready to focus on other targets. According to Florian Plettenberg, the Bavarians are monitoring Williams’ situation. However, they have “kept contact” with other wingers on their shortlist, including Kaoru Mitoma.
Other News & Media
Brighton 2025-26 Premier League schedule announced
The 2024-25 Premier League season is just under two months away. We already know who Brighton will be playing on opening day though. The Premier League has just announced its full 2024-25 fixture list.
The Albion will start their campaign at home against Fulham on August 16th. The first away match will be the following weekend at Everton. That fixture will also be the first ever competitive match at the Toffees’ brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
You can find Brighton’s full schedule here.
Tony Bloom talks about summer transfer plans
Speaking to ITV Racing (via SussexExpress) last weekend at Ascot, Tony Bloom revealed that Brighton will probably not sign many more players this summer.
“We have already got slightly involved in the transfer window and I don’t think we will be doing a huge amount more between now and the end of the window,” he said.
Bloom also said he understands some fans being upset about last season. “It is testament to how well we have done recently that quite a few of our fans were disappointed,” he said, before looking ahead to next season.
“I think it was an excellent position but we were close to getting into Europe and doing even better. With our younger players a little bit older, Fabian a year in the Premier League, we are hoping for more next season.”
Gruda, Hinshelwood, Beadle shine at U21 Euros
Jack Hinshelwood and James Beadle both started and played key roles in England’s 3-1 victory over Spain in the U21 European Championship quarterfinal on Saturday. Brajan Gruda also played in a quarterfinal match over the weekend. The 21-year-old started and played 62 minutes in Germany’s 3-2 win over Italy.
England will take on the Netherlands on Wednesday at 5:00pm BST (12:00pm ET). Germany will play France three hours later on the same day.
The Germany match specifically could be a pivotal one for Gruda. Reports from Albania say he may accept a call-up from the Albanian national team if he is not given a chance to play with Germany’s senior side.
Interviews
Speaking to WeAreBrighton, Stefanos Tzimas explained the details behind his transfer to Brighton and his relationship with fellow new signing Babis Kostoulas.
Adam Webster spoke with the Brighton club website about Jack Hinshelwood and about how impressed he is with how the academy graduate has developed in the last few years.
Jakub Moder discussed his decision to leave Brighton and why it was the “best thing” for his career in an interview with 1908.nl.
Assistant manager Andrew Crofts talked about his journey from player to coach, his current role at the club, and joining the Welsh national team staff in an interview with the club.