Pedro Set to Join Chelsea, Albion Duo Win U21 Euros, and Other Brighton News (News Roundup June 23-30)
It looks like João Pedro’s time with the Albion is coming to an end. Let’s get caught up on that story, some new goalkeeper signings, and all the other Brighton news from the last seven days.
Transfer News
Incoming Transfers
Chiamaka Nnadozie - Brighton Women sign Nigeria No. 1
The Albion have agreed to sign goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie on a free transfer from Paris FC. She will officially join the club on July 1st at the end of her contract. The Nigerian international has made 22 appearances for her national team since 2018.
Brighton Women coach Dario Vidosic says Nnadozie “will bring consistency and confidence to our defensive line.” He added, “She has competed at the highest level, with valuable experience in a variety of cup competitions including the Champions League. We’re confident she’ll add both depth and drive to a squad already full of ambition as we continue to build for next season.”
Maxim De Cuyper - Albion linked to Belgian full-back
Tuttomercatoweb has reported that Brighton have opened talks regarding Club Brugge full-back Maxim De Cuyper. The Italian outlet says that the Albion have pushed hard to get a deal done and that Brugge want around €20m for the Belgian. It’s unclear if the clubs have already begun negotiations or if Brighton have just been talking with the player’s camp.
AC Milan are also reportedly interested in De Cuyper as a replacement for Theo Hernandez. Some less credible sources have additionally linked him to Roma.
Lukas Ullrich, Rocco Reitz - Seagulls in the race for two Mönchengladbach rising stars
According to Bild (via Get Football News Germany), Brighton are one of three English clubs interested in Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Lukas Ullrich. Tottenham and Leeds are also interested in the 21-year-old.
Ullrich is currently in the midst of contract negotiations with Die Fohlen and they are reportedly determined to keep the left-back at the club after his breakout campaign last season and strong U21 Euros performance. However, their financial position may make it difficult to turn down a good offer for the player.
Separately from the Ullrich rumor, TEAMtalk’s Darren Witcoop has reported that West Ham are on the verge of signing Mönchengladbach midfielder Rocco Reitz. He adds that “Brighton and Fulham are also among the clubs pushing to land Reitz” this summer.
Brighton have been linked to Reitz since at least last December, when it was reported that the club viewed him as a long-term target. The 23-year-old’s current contract contains a €20m release clause that will not be active until next year. It’s unclear how much Mönchengladbach will demand from clubs who want to sign him this summer.
Breno Bidon - Brighton linked to Brazilian wonderkid
According to Brazilian outlet UOL, Brighton have inquired about Corinthians midfielder Breno Bidon. The club reportedly needs to make a “major sale” this summer and view the 20-year-old as a good candidate to sell. UOL believes that Corinthians would be willing to let him go for around €15m.
Wolves and all three of Portugal’s Big Three clubs are interested in the Brazilian, as well as unnamed clubs from Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.
Nils Ramming, Michael Dike - Albion sign two GK prospects
Brighton have signed Michael Dike from Irish club Treaty United and Nils Ramming from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. Both 18-year-old goalkeepers will join the U21s for the time being.
Officially, both players have been signed for undisclosed fees. Most reports say that the club paid €850k for Ramming, while no outlets have reported the fee for Dike.
Outgoing Transfers
João Pedro - Chelsea to pay “in excess of £50m” for Albion forward
This week has been a huge week for João Pedro transfer rumors. Several outlets claimed that Newcastle submitted multiple bids for the Brazilian. There’s some debate about whether they bid over Brighton’s supposed asking price of £60m. Whatever the case, it now looks like Chelsea are close to signing Pedro.
According to David Ornstein, the Blues have agreed to a deal with Brighton “in excess of £50m” for the player. His report also claims that personal terms have been agreed to. Pedro will sign a seven-year contract through June 2032.
Fabrizio Romano and others confirmed this report, and Pedro was spotted at the airport headed to the USA to join Chelsea for their Club World Cup campaign.
Igor Julio - Real Sociedad linked, other clubs keeping tabs
Last week, multiple outlets linked Igor Julio to Real Sociedad. Those stories did not stop this week. AS and Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness) all say that the 27-year-old center-back is close to joining the La Liga side. But that’s not the club he’s been linked to.
UOL claims that Igor’s old club Fiorentina are also interested, while El Diario Vasco reports that Leeds, Crystal Palace, and Wolves are keeping tabs on the Brazilian.
Julio Enciso - Albion field offers from multiple clubs for La Joya
Paraguay journalist Christian Martin claims that Brighton want to get at least £30m for Enciso and that they have received offers from Galatasaray, Inter Milan, and Porto for the attacking midfielder. Martin is believed to be very close to Enciso’s camp and was the first reporter who broke the news of his loan to Ipswich Town. Additionally, Turkish outlet Takvim has confirmed Galatasaray’s interest.
Enciso, who got married this week, is definitely looking for a move away from Brighton. His agent revealed two weeks ago that Porto had already submitted three offers for the player that were all turned down.
Valentín Barco - Strasbourg officially sign left-back for €10m
L’Équipe and other French outlets have reported that Strasbourg have officially triggered their €10m buy-option for Brighton left-back Valentín Barco. This buy-option was mandatory as a part of the 20-year-old's loan deal to the Ligue 1 club.
Ferdi Kadioglu - Turkish giants interested in loan deal for Brighton full-back
Turkish outlet Hurriyet says Fenerbahçe have offered to take Ferdi Kadioglu on loan for the 2025-26 season. Additionally, they claim that Brighton informed Fener that Galatasaray were also interested in signing the full-back.
However, journalist Sercan Hamzaoğlu says that Kadioglu has no interest in returning to Turkey and is committed to breaking into Brighton’s starting eleven after his poor first season. The 25-year-old is fully recovered from his toe injury (see his gender reveal party) and has started training.
Kaoru Mitoma - Winger “remains a target” for Saudi club
In a report about Al-Nassr’s interest in Liverpool’s Luis Díaz, transfer reporter Ben Jacobs revealed that the Saudi club is still keeping tabs on Kaoru Mitoma. He says that the winger “remains a target.” However, he adds that Mitoma, who recently celebrated his wedding, “has not changed his mind” since rejecting Al-Nassr’s offers in January.
Mark O’Mahony - Irish U21 striker linked to Leyton Orient
According to EFL reporter Alan Nixon, Leyton Orient are close to agreeing to a deal for Brighton U21 forward Mark O’Mahony. The Irishman spent last season on loan at Portsmouth in the Championship, where he scored three goals in 13 appearances for the south coast club.
Zebedee Lawson - Rangers sign Albion youngster
Brighton academy player Zebedee Lawson has left the club to join Russell Martin’s Rangers. According to Football Insider, the 16-year-old was one of the club’s top prospects, who had attracted the eyes of a number of top clubs.
Other News & Media
Jack Hinshelwood, James Beadle beat Brayan Gruda in U21 Euros Final
England U21s defeated Germany in the UEFA U21 Euros final on Saturday. Brighton’s James Beadle was in goal for the Young Lions, while Jack Hinshelwood started at left-back against Germany winger Brayan Gruda.
The match ended 2-2 and went to extra time. A goal from Marseille’s Jonathan Rowe in the 92nd minute secured a 3-2 win for England.
Brighton tease new kit
On Monday, Brighton posted a graphic on Twitter saying, “SEA YOU SOON.” This is somewhat vague, but most people have interpreted it as a teaser for an upcoming kit launch. The Albion announced in January that it had agreed to a new sponsorship deal with Nike through the 2030 season.
Adam Lallana announces retirement
Former Brighton player Adam Lallana has retired from football. He announced his decision to hang up his boots on Wednesday. The 37-year-old left Brighton last season to rejoin his boyhood club Southampton. Lallana will now join Saints’ coaching staff under new boss Will Still.
Hearts officially announce Tony Bloom’s investment
Heart of Midlothian announced on Wednesday that Tony Bloom has invested £9.86m in exchange for a 29% stake in the club in non-voting shares.
The Brighton owner-chairman said that he firmly believes Hearts have the “ability to disrupt the pattern of domination of Scottish football which has been in place for far too long.”
Albion announce two charity matches for Matt Grimstone and Jacob Schilt
Brighton have announced that they will host two charity football matches at Sussex FA’s Culver Road on Sunday July 27 in memory of Matt Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, who sadly lost their lives in the Shoreham air disaster in August 2015. See more details here.
Brighton kit-man completes 35-mile charity walk
Brighton kit-man Alex “Buzz” Burrows and Albion staff members Harry Wood and Matt Bishop participated in a 35-mile charity walk from Rustington to the Amex on Friday to celebrate the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation’s 35th anniversary.
They were joined for part of the walk by Billy Gilmour, Lewis Dunk, Fabian Hurzeler, Fatboy Slim, and others to raise awareness of the Foundation’s work. The BBC covered Buzz’s walk here, and it has been heavily documented on the club’s website if you want to see more of the festivities.
Seagulls chef leaves for Manchester United
The Albion’s award-winning chef Will Carvalho has left the club to join Manchester United. As reported by Training Ground Guru, Carvalho will be the Red Devils’ new Head Performance Chef for the men’s First Team.
Interviews
In a brief interview with Sky Sports, Fabian Hurzeler discussed Brighton’s new signings, the future of João Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma, the U21 Euros, and more.
New signing Moeka Minami spoke with the club website about joining Brighton Women and her connection with fellow Japan international Kiko Seike.
Former Brighton player and U18s team coach Iñigo Calderón spoke with El Diario Vasco (via Sport Witness) about Igor Julio, the center-back’s fit at Brighton, and why he would be a good signing for Real Sociedad.