Fabian Hurzeler will soon take over as Brighton & Hove Albion’s manager, but they also have a hectic transfer market to deal with.
After a poor conclusion to the previous season that saw them drop to 11th in the league rankings following a strong start, the Seagulls will try to bolster their roster this summer. In addition, well-liked manager Roberto De Zerbi left.
Hurzeler will now be in command, and as Brighton looks to enhance their team, the 31-year-old German will be hoping for a few welcome gifts. After Pascal Gross, the German international and player of the year, had a successful season on loan at Stuttgart last season, the Seagulls are rumored to have started contract negotiations with him. They also want to convince fellow countryman Deniz Undav that the Amex Stadium is where his future lies.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Leicester City has also been linked to Brighton once more, and Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal is rumored to be of interest. Considering Brighton is a little thin in that part of the field after losing Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister to injury last season, both would be excellent acquisitions.
There have also been two confirmed departures already this summer as midfielders Adam Lallana and Steven Alzate both left as their contracts expired. Despite injury issues, Lallana spent four largely successful seasons following his arrival on a free transfer from Liverpool. The former Southampton man was said to be one Albion’s higher earners, on a reported £90,000 per week, and his exit could well free up some funds for a new arrival. Lallana is now close to moving back to his former club Southampton, following their promotion to the top flight.
Alzate, 25, had been with Brighton for seven years but spent the last two seasons on loan loan in Belgium with Standard Liège. The Colombia international made 51 appearances for Albion, with three goals and two assists and has been linked with Rangers and Sheffield United, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.
Additionally, Brighton must make a variety of decisions with players like Abdallah Sima, Carl Rushworth, and Marc Leonard who are returning from loan. Rangers are interested in Sima, Ipswich Town, who were just promoted, are looking to sign Rushworth on loan, while Wrexham and Portsmouth are also interested in Leonard.
For the upcoming few months, Albion’s recruitment team will undoubtedly have enough to do.
