Pedro Rumors Ramp Up After Training Ground Fight, Mitoma Linked to Bayern, and Other Brighton News (News Roundup May 18-24)
One last chance at Europe.
It all comes down to this. If Brighton hold on to 8th place and Chelsea drop to 6th or 7th, the Seagulls can still qualify for European football this season. Before the action kicks off on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, let’s get caught up on the latest Brighton news.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Olivier Boscagli - Deal for PSV defender all but confirmed
It’s been widely publicized that Brighton attempted to sign PSV center back Olivier Boscagli last summer. Reports since then indicated that the Seagulls missed the boat on the Eredivisie champion, but now it looks like he is coming to Brighton.
Boscagli has reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement to join Brighton this summer. Alex Crook first reported this story, and it has also been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano. However, reports from the Netherlands say it’s “not completely done yet.”
Fabian Hurzeler was asked about Boscagli on Friday and whether he could say anything about the recent reporting. “It’s not the right time to speak about new players,” he responded.
Mario Gila - Brighton interested in Lazio center back
Corriere dello Sport claims that Lazio defender Mario Gila is likely to leave the club this summer. The report explains that Brighton are one of the strongest contenders to sign the Spaniard, should he leave, and that Lazio expect to sell him for €30m-35m. Bournemouth are also interested.
Patrick Wimmer - Wolfsburg winger linked to Albion, agent denies concrete deal
LAOLA1.at has revealed that Wolfsburg attacker Patrick Wimmer may be in talks with Brighton. The Austrian had been previously linked with the Albion earlier this year. LAOLA1.at asked his agency, More than Sport, to comment directly about the Brighton rumors.
“We are currently talking directly with top-flight clubs from England, Germany, and France. However, nothing concrete has been agreed upon yet,” said Frank Schreier, owner of More than Sport.
Ilaix Moriba - Seagulls linked to former Barcelona wonderkid
Marca and AfricaFoot have reported that Brighton are interested in signing RB Leipzig midfielder Ilaix Moriba. According to Mamady Kourouma, Moriba’s father and agent, Porto have opened talks to sign the player, while “two English clubs have also expressed concrete interest.”
Moriba is currently on loan at Celta Vigo. His father says he would like to see the 22-year-old stay at the LaLiga club permanently.
Outgoing Transfers
João Pedro - Brazilian’s future up in the air after fight with Jan Paul van Hecke
Despite being available for selection, João Pedro was not in Brighton’s squad for the Seagulls’ 3-2 win against Liverpool on Monday. After the match, Andy Naylor and other outlets revealed that Pedro was left out of the team due to getting into a physical altercation with Jan Paul van Hecke during a training session.
Around half a dozen different stories linking Pedro with a move away from Brighton sprung up in the aftermath of Naylor’s report.
Fabrizio Romano opened the floodgates, saying Pedro can leave in the summer and that he’s ready for a new chapter of his career. Mail Sport chimed in hours later with a report claiming Chelsea were ready to offer £50m for the Brazilian. TBR Football added that Arsenal, Liverpool, and Newcastle were interested in Pedro—something they have been saying for weeks.
Globo Esporte reported that Chelsea will try to sign him before the start of the Club World Cup. However, Ben Jacobs claims that the Blues “have not held any talks and are not exploring a deal” for Pedro.
Kaoru Mitoma - Bayern shortlist Brighton winger, player open to a move
Multiple reports from Germany this week claim that Bayern Munich are interested in signing Kaoru Mitoma this summer. Sport Bild’s Christian Falk revealed on the Bayern Insider Podcast that the Bavarians are hoping to sign Mitoma for €40-45m.
Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany echoed this story, adding that Mitoma is open to a move to Germany and that “meetings and talks with his agents have already taken place.”
Matt O’Riley - Roma “ready to launch a bid” for Danish midfielder
Fabrizio Romano reported last week that Matt O’Riley was a player to watch during the upcoming transfer window. This week, TBR Football reports that Roma are “preparing a bid” for the 24-year-old. The story also claims that O’Riley is considering whether he should leave Brighton this summer.
Jason Steele - Seagulls want to keep backup goalkeeper, says new report
The Sun’s Alan Nixon revealed on his Patreon that Brighton want to keep Jason Steele for another season. The backup goalkeeper’s contract expires in 2026, but he may be tempted to leave the club this summer. Southampton reportedly attempted to sign Steele last season.
Tariq Lamptey - Future uncertain as Albion look unlikely to extend
A new report from AfricaFoot claims that Tariq Lamptey is looking increasingly likely to leave Brighton this year. The club have “left him in the dark” and have not opened talks about a new contract. AfricaFoot goes as far as to say that Brighton have expressed no interest in re-signing the fullback.
Lamptey’s current deal expires in June. Ajax, Everton, and numerous other clubs have been linked with the 24-year-old.
Other News & Media
Jack Hinshelwood, James Beadle, and Brayan Gruda called up for U21 Euros Preliminary squads
With the UEFA Under-21 Championships in Slovakia coming up soon, nations have begun to release their preliminary rosters. Jack Hinshelwood and reserve goalkeeper James Beadle have been named in the England squad, while Brayan Gruda has been called up by Germany. Official rosters will be announced on June 4.
Madison Haley re-signs with the Albion
American forward Madison Haley has signed a new contract to keep her at the club for another year. The 26-year-old Stanford alumna joined the club in 2023 and made 20 appearances for the Seagulls in all competitions last season.
Kjell Scherpen and Malick Yalcouye win Austrian Bundesliga awards
Brighton loanees Kjell Scherpen and Malick Yalcouye were honored by the Austrian Bundesliga this week. Scherpen was named Goalkeeper of the Season, while Yalcouye picked up the league’s Newcomer of the Season award. Scherpen and Yalcouye also won the Austrian league title on Saturday.
Brighton Museums announce new Brighton & Hove Albion history exhibit
Brighton & Hove Museums has announced that there will be a new permanent exhibit at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery honoring the history of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. The new gallery will open at the start of the 2026/27 season to celebrate Brighton’s 125th anniversary.
Injury News
All quotes are from Fabian Hurzeler unless otherwise noted.
João Pedro is eligible for selection, but he will not be a part of the squad. “We had a small issue in training (with João Pedro), a type which isn't uncommon from time to time in all football clubs. We dealt with it internally and the matter is closed…I’m sure that he will learn from this and come back stronger next season.”
Georginio Rutter “is not available. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it. We won’t risk anything. He will be back in preseason.”
Lewis Dunk and Joel Veltman “will be back in the squad.”
James Milner and Ferdi Kadioglu are still out with long-term injuries.
Interviews
Kjell Scherpen and Malick Yalcouye spoke about their time at Sturm Graz and their respective futures in an interview with Kleine Zeitung.
Former Seagulls manager Micky Adams joined The Official Brighton and Hove Albion Podcast this week to discuss his two stints at the club and what it was like managing the team in the lower leagues.
Gus Poyet talked with Flashscore about his time at Brighton, what went wrong, whether he’ll ever be back, and more.
Makes sense to sell Pedro and make a reasonable profit on him bearing in mind his volatile nature. Bloody good player, but if he moves to a Champions League team, fair play. Will be sad to see Lamptey go, especially as he is still young and will likely overcome his ongoing injury problems. Centre back purchases indicate a departure or a lessening role for others. I trust the process. Always interesting. Thanks for your updates.