Joao Pedro sold to Chelsea, £50m duo start: Brighton line up after dream Fabian Hurzeler transfer window – gallery
Savvy transfer dealers Brighton are once again in full hustle mode as they negotiate the summer transfer window.
£70m worth of new talent has already jetted in as the likes of Charalampos Kostoulas, Stefanos Tzimas, Diego Coppola and Tommy Watson have all arrived.
Albion chairman and owner Tony Bloom said last week that he does not expect too many more in terms of incoming – but a number of players will likely exit.
Chelsea are now favourites to land £70m rated Joao Pedro, Manchester United are reportedly chasing Pervis Estupinan and Igor Julio said he does not expect to complete his contract with Brighton. Serie A champions Napoli have bid around £25m for Matt O’Riley and the Seagulls will also brace themselves for bids for Japan star Kaoru Mitoma. The futures of returning loanees Julio Enciso, Facundo Buonanotte and Evan Ferguson also look uncertain.
It’s going to be hectic but here’s how Fabian Hurzeler dream XI could look after the summer window…
The talented Dutch goalkeeper has been linked with Bayern Munich but Hurzeler will hope he’s between the sticks for the Seagulls for the season opener against Fulham.
3. Jan Paul van Hecke – CB
Brighton’s player of the season and most reliable defender last term. Newcastle are keen but hopefully the Dutch international will be a mainstay of the defence once again
Olympique de Marseille could soon be tying up a second defensive signing of the window after securing the free transfer of Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley last week. L’Équipe report that Racing Club de Lens centre-back Facundo Medina (26) is edging closer to a move to Marseille, with advanced talks continuing over Lens’ valuation of €25m.
Under contract in the north until 2028, Medina has now been granted a provisional green light to leave, but Lens are holding firm on their valuation – around €25 million – for a player they signed for under €5m five years ago. Marseille, unsurprisingly, are looking to negotiate that figure down, with fresh talks having taken place this week.
Roberto De Zerbi has approved the signing and believes Medina could be a key part of his defensive rebuild, capable of playing both at centre-back and on the left flank. Ideally, De Zerbi wants Medina in place by July 7th – the date of OM’s return to pre-season training. The former Lens defender is expected to resolve final administrative issues on his end in the coming days, with both clubs confident a deal can be struck swiftly.
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