O'Riley & Ferdi signings confirmed, Gilmour gone, & other Brighton news from the last 7 days (Brighton news roundup Aug. 25 - Aug. 31)

It's finally over.

Let’s celebrate Brighton’s well-deserved 1-1 draw against Arsenal and the transfer window finally closing by going over all the Brighton news stories from the past seven days that you might have missed.

Transfer News

Incoming Transfers

Matt O'Riley & Ferdi Kadioglu - Brighton sign two top targets, both injured immediately

After all but being confirmed last week, Brighton announced the signings of Matt O’Riley and Ferdi Kadioglu this week. The fee for O’Riley is believed to be close to £25m. Fenerbahce officially reported Kadioglu’s fee as £25m with a 10-15% sell-on clause and easily achievable add-ons worth another £4m.

O’Riley started the Albion’s League Cup tie against Crawley Town midweek. He was cut down just 6 minutes into the match by Red Devils midfielder Jay Williams. O’Riley will need ankle surgery to address the injury. He will be out for at least 5-6 weeks.

To make matters worse, Kadioglu was also injured this week. The defender suffered a muscular tear in training. Initial reports from Turkey said Kadioglu would miss 4-5 weeks. However, Andy Naylor has reported that it is just a “minor” injury.

Diego Gomez - Agent confirms deal is done for Paraguayan international

While Brighton did not announce the signing of Diego Gomez from Inter Miami before the transfer window slammed shut on Friday, his agent, Renato Bittar, says the deal is done. 

Speaking to Paraguayan radio on Monday, Bittar said “Everything has been agreed. He will report to the club in January. He has signed for 5 years.”

Conrad Harder - Brighton in the running for Danish striker

David Ornstein reported on deadline day that Brighton submitted a £16.8m offer for FC Nordsjaelland striker Conrad Harder. Sporting Lisbon also made an offer for the 19-year-old, but neither club was able to get a deal done before the window closed.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Brighton’s bid would have allowed Harder to stay in Denmark until 2025. However, it now seems that Harder is on his way to Sporting.

Oliver Arblaster - Seagulls interested in Sheffield United midfielder

As it became increasingly clear that Brighton would be selling Billy Gilmour on deadline day, Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reported that the Albion were interested in Sheffield United’s Oliver Arblaster as a potential Gilmour replacement.

Tommy Watson - Sunderland reject bid for young winger

Mail Sport’s Craig Hope revealed that Brighton submitted “multiple offers” for 18-year-old, Sunderland winger Tommy Watson. The Black Cats rejected each of Brighton’s bids. The last offer was in excess of £2m. Like with the Arblaster rumor above, this could be one to watch for the future.

Outgoing Transfers

Billy Gilmour - Napoli sign Scotsman for £11m

After weeks of speculation and debate about Billy Gilmour’s potential move to Napoli, the Azzurri finally got the deal done and signed Gilmour for £11m. The Scotsman reportedly pushed hard for the move, while Brighton were keen to keep him around after Matt O’Riley’s injury.

Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis welcomed Billy to the club on Twitter on Friday before the deal was announced. He was presented to the club’s fans on Saturday alongside fellow Scottish international Scott McTominay.

Jeremy Sarmiento - Ecuadorian loaned to Burnley, no buy option

Winger Jeremy Sarmiento will spend next season on loan with Burnley in the Championship. Multiple reports claimed Sarmiento was looking for a permanent move away from Brighton. Burnley, Sheffield United, and Aberdeen were among the many clubs interested in buying Sarmiento for around £7m. However, his loan to Burnley does not have a buy option.

This will be Sarmiento’s second straight season in the Championship, after being loaned to West Brom and Ipswich Town last year.

Carl Rushworth - Promising goalkeeper gets loan move to Hull City

Carl Rushworth is also headed back to the Championship. The highly-rated young goalie has joined Hull City on a season-long loan. Ipswich Town previously were interested in signing him on a permanent deal, but Brighton were unwilling to sell.

Rushworth spent last season on loan with Swansea in the Championship, where he made 48 appearances and kept 11 clean sheets. He was named the Swans’ Player of the Season.

Amario Cozier-Duberry - New Brighton signing joins Blackburn on loan

After joining Brighton on a free transfer from Arsenal this summer, the Albion have loaned Amario Cozier-Duberry to Blackburn Rovers for the 2024/25 Championship season. The 19-year-old featured heavily for Brighton in the pre-season. This move is to give him some much needed first-team experience. Cozier-Duberry has played in just five senior professional matches during his short career so far.

Malick Yalcouye - ‘Exciting prospect’ loaned to Sturm Graz

18-year-old wonderkid Malick Yalcouye has joined Sturm Graz on a season-long loan. Brighton signed the Malian wonderkid this summer for £6m from Swedish side IFK Gothenburg. Fabian Hurzeler called Yalcouye an “Exciting prospect.” With Sturm Graz, he will get a chance to experience Champions League football this season.

Mahmoud Dahoud - Frankfurt sign transfer flop

Mahmoud Dahoud, one of Roberto De Zerbi’s signings, has left the Albion after just one season at the club. The former Borussia Dortmund player has returned to the Bundesliga to join Eintracht Frankfurt on a permanent deal. Like most transfers, Brighton have not disclosed the transfer fee. Most reports claim it was a free transfer.

Jensen Weir - Fringe first-team midfielder sold to Wigan

After featuring in Brighton’s midweek match against Crawley Town last week, Jensen Weir has been sold to Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old midfielder joined the Albion in 2020 from Wigan.

Mark O'Mahony, Odel Offiah - U21 stars loaned to Pompey & Blackpool

Two of Brighton’s brightest U21 prospects have earned loan moves away from the club for this season. Striker Mark O'Mahony will spend the year in the Championship with Portsmouth. Defender Odel Offiah has joined League One side Blackpool.

Other News

Carlos Baleba gets Cameroon call-up

Defensive midfielder Carlos Baleba has been called up by Cameroon manager Marc Brys for the Indomitable Lions’ upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Namibia and Zimbabwe on September 7 and September 10, respectively.

James Beadle, Jack Hinshelwood called up for England U21 duty

Jack Hinshelwood has earned his first call-up to the England U21 national team. Goalkeeper James Beadle will join the Brighton academy graduate with the U21s for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Northern Ireland and Austria on September 6 and September 9, respectively.