Moder to Feyenoord, Albion linked to Chelsea CB & other Brighton news from the last 7 days (Brighton news roundup Jan. 12-18)
Brighton are looking to stretch their winning run to three matches against Manchester United today. Before this huge game, let’s catch up on these stories and all the Brighton news from the last seven days.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Tosin Adarabioyo - Brighton “keen” on signing Chelsea center back
Following news that center back Igor Julio will miss the rest of the season, The Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan has reported that Brighton are “keen on trying to tempt” Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo into joining the Seagulls on a permanent deal.
The 27-year-old Man City academy graduate has been a regular starter for Chelsea as of late, but the Blues could be looking to offload center backs after recalling Trevor Chalobah from Crystal Palace. Tosin would be the most profitable option for Chelsea as he joined the club on a free transfer last summer.
Ricardo Pepi - Brighton one of many clubs tracking USMNT forward
According to The Athletic, “several European suitors” are lining up to sign PSV forward Ricardo Pepi. Brighton are mentioned as one of the clubs who “could be tempted” to sign the 22-year-old due to his remarkable goal-scoring record in the Eredivisie. He is currently averaging 1.32 goals every 90 minutes (10 goals in 681 minutes).
Brighton have previously been linked to Pepi. It’s unclear whether they remain interested or if this report is simply restating past rumors. PSV signed Pepi from Augsburg for around $10m in July 2023.
Daniel Cummings - West Ham and Brighton interested in Celtic striker
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Brighton and West Ham are “keen on signing” Celtic striker Daniel Cummings. The 18 year old has scored 24 goals in 24 matches for Celtic’s youth teams in domestic and European competitions. Cummings will be out of contract this summer.
Christian Kofane - Spanish second division striker linked to Brighton
Fichajes have reported that Brighton have “already initiated preliminary contacts” with Albacete forward Christian Kofane. The 18-year-old Cameroonian scored in his debut match for the Queso Mecánico against Racing Santander last Saturday.
Other reports from France and Spain say that Monaco, Lille, Lens, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, RB Salzburg, Villareal, Valencia and Real Betis are also interested in the promising striker.
Outgoing Transfers
Jakub Moder - Polish midfielder nearing move to Feyenoord
Dutch outlet 1908.nl–who accurately reported both the Mats Wieffer and Ibrahim Osman transfers before they happened–claim that Brighton midfielder Jakub Moder is close to joining Feyenoord on a permanent transfer for close to €2. talkSPORT’s Alex Crook has confirmed this report, saying a deal for “around £3m” is close to being confirmed.
Moder joined Brighton for a reported fee of €11m in 2020. Much of his time at Brighton was spent either on loan to Polish side Lech Poznań or out injured. Moder tore his ACL in April 2022 and missed the entirety of the 2023/24 season. His contract with Brighton expires this June.
Julio Enciso - Valencia working on short-term loan team
Reports from Paraguay claim that Julio Enciso does not want to sign a new contract with Brighton (his current deal expires in 2026). The club are now deciding whether to send him out on loan this month. Other reports say that the Seagulls have already rejected loans from Atalanta multiple other Italian and Spanish clubs.
Versus have reported that Enciso does not have a great relationship with Fabian Hurzeler and that Brighton want at least $50m for the player. Real Betis and Valencia could be options. However, it also says that the club would prefer to work with English clubs, such as Leicester or Ipswich Town. The former club is not possible due to Facundo Buonanotte’s loan deal with Leicester.
Valencia currently seem the most likely to sign Enciso on loan, with Revalo reporting early on Saturday that Los Ches have been working on signing the Paraguayan for some time. Valencia hopes to confirm the deal in the next few days.
Joel Veltman - Defender on Ajax’s right back shortlist
De Telegraaf reporter Mike Verweij has revealed that Joel Veltman is high on Ajax’s wish list to replace Devyne Rensch this summer, should the 21-year-old defender actually leave the club as is expected.
Veltman is out of contract this summer. However, Brighton have an option to extend his deal for another year. Given his commitment to the club even before he signed though, it’s likely Veltman will be allowed to leave on a free this year if he asks the club to let him return to his boyhood club.
Andy Naylor previously hinted at this possibility back in December, saying that “when he (Veltman) eventually leaves the club it will be on a free transfer.”
Kjell Scherpen - Goalkeeper hints at move away from Brighton
In an interview with RTV Drenthe in the Netherlands, Brighton goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen expressed his desire to not go out on loan again next year. “It is definitely not my intention to be loaned out again. I will have had two great years here (at Sturm Graz) and I would prefer to take another step up to a better competition,” he said.
Scherpen’s current contract with Brighton expires in June 2027.
Imari Samuels - Prospect sold to Dundee for undisclosed fee
U21 defender Imari Samuels has made a permanent transfer to Scottish Premiership side Dundee. Neither club has disclosed the transfer fee. The 21-year-old joined Brighton in 2023. He played just one senior match for the Albion, a 4-0 win over Crawley Town in the EFL Cup last August.
Ben Jackson - Albion defender recalled from Livingston, joins Queens Park
Ben Jackson, another 21-year-old defender, has left Scottish Championship side Livingston to join fellow Scottish second-tier team Queens Park on loan.
Brighton Technical Director David Weir said Jackson “hasn’t played as much as we would have liked in the first part of the season. This fresh start with Queens Park means he can have a positive second half of the campaign.”
Louis Flowers - U21 forward loaned to Gateshead
Forward Louis Flower has joined National League club Gateshead on loan. The 20 year old joined Brighton as a highly-coveted prospect from Chelsea’s academy in September 2023. He has scored eight goals in 22 Premier League 2 matches for Brighton’s U21 team this season.
Other News & Media
Brighton Men draw Chelsea in FA Cup Fourth Round, Women draw Aston Villa
Both Brighton teams now know their next FA Cup opponents. Brighton Men will take on Chelsea in the fourth round on Saturday, February 8th at 8pm GMT (3pm ET) at the Amex.
Brighton Women’s fourth round match against Durham was rescheduled to Wednesday, January 29th at Broadfield Stadium at 7pm GMT (2pm ET). If the Seagulls win this match, they will take on Aston Villa on February 9th.
Albion sign new U21 team coach
Former Wycombe Wanderers right back Jason McCarthy has joined Brighton as a U21s professional development phase coach. This is the 29-year-old’s first coaching job since officially retiring from playing in December 2024.
Injury Update
All quotes from Fabian Hurzeler unless otherwise noted.
Igor Julio “will be out for the rest of the season…It was a hamstring injury. He needed surgery, so it was a big thing.”
Brajan Gruda will miss the Man Utd match. “He has a small issue, but hopefully he will be back next week.”
Danny Welbeck is fit and could start.
Per comments before the Ipswich match, Jack Hinshelwood, Mats Wieffer and Evan Ferguson are unlikely to feature much (if at all) against Man Utd. “I'm not sure if it's too early for them being back on the pitch. But they're going through a good process and hopefully they will be back soon.”
New signing Diego Gomez is available.