New contract for Baleba incoming, Brazilian winger linked & other Brighton news from the last 7 days (Brighton news roundup Dec. 1-7)
Brighton started their busy December with a disappointing 3-1 loss to Fulham. The Seagulls go again tomorrow against Leicester City at 2pm GMT (9am ET), while Brighton Women take on Chelsea at the same time. Before those pivotal matches, let’s catch up on all the Brighton news from the last seven days that you might have missed.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Matheus Gonçalves - Brighton open talks with Flamengo midfielder
A report from Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte says that Brighton have made contact with Flamengo winger Matheus Gonçalves. It claims that the club met with the player’s agent at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Rio de Janeiro last week and that Brighton are set to negotiate with Flamengo about a January transfer.
However, RTI Esporte also claim that Gonçalves wants more assurances from Brighton. The 19-year-old wants to be guaranteed that he will not be sent out on loan after he joins the club in January.
Lennon Miller - South Coast clubs tracking Motherwell prospect
The Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel has reported that Brighton and Southampton are tracking Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller. The 18-year-old became a regular in the Steelmen’s first team squad last season and could be available for as little as £5m.
Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, and Scottish giants Celtic have also been linked to the youngster.
Bazoumana Toure - Albion in the race for Hammarby youngster
Swedish outlet Fotboll Direkt claim that Brighton are leading the race for highly-rated Hammarby attacker Bazoumana Toure. Fellow Premier League clubs Arsenal, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, and Wolves have also sent scouts to watch the 18-year-old. Wolfsburg, Frankfurt, Leverkusen, and Atletico Madrid are also interested.
Whoever signs Toure, Fotboll Direkt believes it will be one of the biggest transfers in Allsvenskan history. The report says it will take over 100kr million (£7m) to sign Toure, a similar amount to what Brighton paid for Malick Yalcouye last summer.
Nicolas Kuhn - Rising Celtic star linked to Brighton
According to a new report from TEAMtalk, Brighton are considering a January move for Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn. The German right winger has been one Celtic’s best players this season, with five goals and six assists in 12 SPL matches so far.
Brentford as also mentioned in the report. It also says Celtic are very unlikely to sell him in January, but they expect to probably lose him next summer. This could be a rumor to watch for the future.
Outgoing Transfers
Jan Paul van Hecke - Napoli identify Brighton CB as transfer target
Seagulls center back Jan Paul van Hecke is one of many defenders Napoli are keeping an eye on for the next window, according to Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb. Antonio Conte is reportedly desperate for center back depth and his penchant for Premier League players (see Billy Gilmour) makes Van Hecke an attractive option for the Serie A club.
However the report claims Van Hecke is valued around €20m, so I wouldn't take this rumor super seriously at this point.
Evan Ferguson - Nottingham Forest, West Ham linked
Despite comments from Fabian Hurzeler last week that Brighton do not want to let Evan Ferguson leave on loan in January, Football Insider has reported that Nottingham Forest are keen to sign the Irishman on a permanent transfer.
Another Football Insider report and leading transfer blog Caught Offside also claim that West Ham are interested in signing Ferguson on loan in the next window.
Other News
Brighton to offer Carlos Baleba a new contract amid transfer interest
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, “there is a good chance” Brighton will try to tie down Carlos Baleba to a new contract amid interest from other top clubs. However, he also says there is little chance that the Cameroonian leaves in January.
Baleba’s current contract expires in June 2028 and Brighton’s asking price for him “would be significant.”
Valentin Barco’s Seville home robbed
Loanee Valentin Barco’s home in Sevilla was unfortunately ransacked and robbed on Tuesday night while he was away at dinner with his partner, Yaz Jauregay.
The left back has yet to comment on the incident, but Jauregay hinted that they know who is responsible for the robbery. “All too strange, don’t even trust your shadow,” Jauregay said on social media (via Marca).
The Instagram influencer also posted a video of the incident, saying that only one employee knew the couple would be out on Tuesday. It’s unclear whether she is referring to a Sevilla employee or someone who works for Barco.
Pedro, Hurzeler nominated for November Premier League awards
After a near-perfect November Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been nominated for Premier League manager of the month. João Pedro has also been shortlisted for the Premier League Player of the Month Award.
You can vote for Hurzeler here and Pedro here. Voting ends at 12pm GMT (7am ET) on Monday, December 9.
Injury News
All quotes are from Fabian Hurzeler unless otherwise noted.
João Pedro is okay and available after the harsh challenge from Sander Berge against Fulham.
Danny Welbeck trained separately from the squad this week, but likely will be available for Sunday against Leicester.
Joel Veltman is back in training and “might be an option” for Sunday.
Solly March says he’s ready to return, but “it's important that we calm him down, that we give him the time to really be prepared for a Premier League game.” Hurzeler also hinted that March may be ready to feature around Christmas.
Jack Hinshelwood and Ferdi Kadioglu “need a bit more time.”
Loan Spotlight
Facundo Buonanotte played 89 minutes in Leicester’s 3-1 win over West Ham on Tuesday. He will not play against Brighton this weekend, as loan players are not able to play against their parent clubs in the Premier League.
Malick Yalcouye played 89 minutes for Sturm Graz in a 1-1 draw in Altach in the Austrian Bundesliga. His side takes on WSG Tirol at 4:00pm GMT today.
Abdallah Sima featured off the bench for Brest in a 3-1 loss to Lille yesterday Friday. He has started just one of Brest’s last four Ligue 1 games, but has been a regular contributor in the Champions League, with three goals in three matches.
Ibrahim Osman is still rehabbing an injury he picked up against RB Salzburg in the Champions League on November 7th. He has recently returned to training and could feature for Feyenoord next week.