Kostoulas Signing Almost Done, Newcastle Closing in on Pedro, and Other Brighton News (News Roundup June 2-8)
We’re two weeks into the silly season. Brighton haven’t confirmed any new deals yet, but it looks like several transfers are close to getting done. Let’s get caught up and look at all the Brighton news from the last week.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Charalampos Kostoulas - Brighton close to signing Greek wonderkid for €40-50m
After weeks of back and forth, it now seems like Brighton are finally about to sign Charalampos Kostoulas. Multiple reports from Greece say that the Albion are “really close” to signing the Olympiacos striker. However, the fee is still debated.
Giannis Chorianopoulos says the transfer “can reach up to €50m,” while other Greek outlets claim it could go up to €41m with a 20% sell-on clause. Sky Sports Germany has reported that “the package is worth around €47m.”
Andy Naylor and David Ornstein say that Brighton have bid €40m for Kostoulas. However, they are less confident about the deal being done. Their report for The Athletic simply states that the club are in ongoing negotiations with Olympiacos.
Cuiabano - Botafogo reject third Brighton bid, Albion still interested
Last week, The Athletic reported that Cuiabano was close to joining Nottingham Forest. OGlobo reports this week the Botafogo left back has not agreed to join Forest and that Brighton are very much still in the race.
The Brazilian outlet claims that Botafogo have rejected a third bid from Brighton worth €9m. The report says that the Serie A club are still in negotiations with both Forest and Brighton.
Botafogo are hoping to wait until after the Club World Cup. They believe Cuiabano’s value will increase after the competition, and hope to get between €10-12m for the left back.
Diego Coppola - Deal for Hellas Verona center back almost done
Brighton’s negotiations for Hellas Verona center back Diego Coppola reached advanced stages this week. Italian outlet L'Arena reported on Monday that the Seagulls had submitted a €10m bid.
Alfredo Pedullà revealed on Sunday that Brighton are the only club who have submitted an offer for Coppola and that they “want to seal the deal.” Fabrizio Romano confirmed this report later in the day, saying the deal was “almost there.” On Monday morning, Romano reported Coppola was “on the verge of joining Brighton.”
Igor Paixão - Albion inquire about Feyenoord winger
Dutch outlet The Algemeen Dagblad claims that Brighton, Leeds, and Marseille have all inquired about Feyenoord winger Igor Paixão. The report says that “there are no concrete negotiations yet” but that interest is very high from all parties and that the Dutch club expect to receive at least €40m for Paixão.
Azzedine Ounahi - Seagulls seem to agree to terms with Moroccan midfielder
FootMercato reported earlier this week that Brighton have opened talks with Azzedine Ounahi. FootMercato then reported on Sunday that the Marseille midfielder agreed to personal terms with Brighton, but that report has since been deleted so it’s unclear where things stand.
The 25-year-old Moroccan spent last season on loan with Panathinaikos. The Greek club could not afford to pay the €11.5m purchase option. Ounahi is not in Marseille’s plans for the upcoming season, so he could be available for a similar fee this summer.
Ollie Arblaster - Brighton keeping tabs on Sheffield United midfielder
TEAMtalk has reported that Brighton are “keeping a close eye” on Sheffield United midfielder Ollie Arblaster. The 21-year-old was an Albion transfer target last year, before he suffered an ACL injury in November.
Brighton are reportedly monitoring his recovery with a potential future bid in mind. TEAMtalk claims the Blades would be willing to sell the 21-year-old for £20m.
Mario Dorgeles - Brighton linked to Nordsjaelland midfielder
According to AfricaFoot, Brighton have inquired about FC Nordsjaelland midfielder Mario Dorgeles. The 20-year-old Ivorian made 30 appearances in the Danish Superliga and is “likely to leave” this summer. The report claims that Borussia Dortmund are also interested.
Lewys Benjamin - Wolves prospect linked as Brighton shake up GK ranks
Luca Bendoni has reported that Brighton are “monitoring” Wolves goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin. He is one of many names on the club’s “U21 GKs shortlist” as they also consider changes to their backroom staff.
Outgoing Transfers
João Pedro - Newcastle interested, Saudi club linked after missing other targets
The João Pedro transfer news cycle has slowed down significantly since last week. That said, it seems like Newcastle are very interested in the Brazilian. Sky Sports, The Telegraph, and the Daily Mail have linked the Tyne-side club to Pedro.
Another Saudi-owned club is also reportedly interested. Egyptian journalist Ismael Mahmoud says that Pedro is on Al-Hilal’s shortlist after missing out on Victor Osimhen. However, he adds that Pedro is “management's choice and not [manager Simone] Inzaghi's choice.”
James Beadle - Backup goalie headed to Birmingham on loan
Alex Crook has reported that James Beadle will spend next season on loan in the Championship with Birmingham City. EFL Analysis and reporter Graham Bailey have also reported this move as a done deal.
Kjell Scherpen - Goalkeeper admits interest from other clubs
In an interview with RTV Drenthe, Brighton goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen revealed that he will likely leave the club this summer. The 25-year-old said that clubs have already reached out to him about a move.
Scherpen says that his plan is to focus on this international window, “then back to my family and then see if we can make a nice transfer.”
Pervis Estupiñán - Top European clubs keeping tabs on Brighton left-back
Caught Offside claim that Manchester United, Chelsea, AC Milan, and Tottenham are keeping tabs on Pervis Estupiñán for this summer transfer window. “Chelsea and Tottenham are believed to be particularly enthusiastic,” the report says. It also adds that Brighton expect to receive around €40–45m for the Ecuadorian.
Other News & Media
Fran Kirby retires from international football ahead of Euro 2025
Brighton Women midfielder Fran Kirby announced to the BBC on Tuesday that she has retired from international football. The former Chelsea star said that she had been debating retirement for a year, but revealed that the decision was essentially made for her when Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman told her she would not be a part of England’s squad for the upcoming 2025 Euros.
You can read Kirby’s full announcement here.
Brighton shake up goalkeeping staff
Brighton goalkeeping coaches Marco Knoop and Jack Stern have left the club. Knoop, who was also one of the Albion’s set piece coaches, followed Fabian Hurzeler from St Pauli. Stern joined the club in January 2022 and looks set to sign for West Ham.
According to Luca Bendoni, Brighton are keen to add Dutch goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar to their staff to replace Knopp and Stern. Rouwelaar previously coached Bart Verbruggen at NAC Breda and Anderlecht.
Charlie Tasker signs new contract
Defender Charlie Tasker has signed a new contract with the club. The 19-year-old academy graduate featured in multiple first-team matchday squads in the second half of the season and could play a bigger role in the team next year.
Andy Naylor talks transfer plans
In a piece for The Athletic, long-time Brighton reporter Andy Naylor detailed Brighton’s transfer plans ahead of this summer. The former Argus man revealed that the club will prioritize defensive signings and players who can add physicality to the squad. Olivier Boscagli, Cuiabano, and Charalampos Kostoulas are all named as targets.
Naylor also explained that Carl Rushworth and Valentin Barco will probably leave this summer and that João Pedro, Carlos Baleba and Kaoru Mitoma will likely attract interest from other clubs.
International Roundup
James Beadle and Jack Hinshelwood have been named in England’s U21 squad for the upcoming UEFA U21 EURO Finals in Slovakia this summer.
Jan Paul van Hecke, Mats Wieffer, and Kjell Scherpen all were in the squad for the Netherlands’ 2-0 win over Finland on Saturday. Van Hecke started and played 45 minutes, while Wieffer and Scherpen remained on the bench. They play again on Tuesday in a UEFA World Cup qualifier against Malta.
Pervis Estupiñán started and played all 90 minutes of Ecuador’s 0-0 draw in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying tournament against Brazil on Friday. Pervis and La Tri take on Peru on Wednesday.
Diego Gomez and Julio Enciso all but secured World Cup qualification for Paraguay with a 2-0 win over Uruguay on Thursday. Enciso scored a penalty in the 81st minute to put La Albirroja up 2-0. The strike was also Paraguay’s 1,000th home goal their nation’s history.
Simon Adingra played 37 minutes off the bench in a 1-0 friendly loss to New Zealand.
Yasin Ayari played 90 minutes and scored a goal in Sweden’s 2-0 win over Hungary in a friendly on Friday.
Evan Ferguson made an appearance off the bench for Ireland in their 1-1 friendly draw with Senegal on Friday. Abdallah Sima started that match for Senegal and was subbed off in the 63rd minute.
Matt O'Riley made a ten-minute cameo for Denmark in the Red and Whites’ 2-1 win over Northern Ireland in a friendly on Saturday.
Interviews
Yasin Ayari spoke with the club website about his first full campaign in the Premier League and about how he regained his confidence under Hurzeler.
Adam Webster looked back on last season in an interview with Brighton club media, reflecting on his “tough campaign” and his feelings going into the summer.
Georginio Rutter discussed adapting to the Premier League in his first season at Brighton in an interview with the club website.
Matt O’Riley discussed being “not completely happy” with his role at Brighton this season in an interview with Danish outlet BT.
Dario Vidošić talked with The Guardian about his desire to “challenge the establishment” with Brighton Women.