With under a week to go in the January Transfer Window, let’s take a quick look at the rumours surrounding ins and outs at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Kang-In Lee
The Seagulls were rumoured to have bid ten million euros for Mallorca attacking midfielder Kang-In Lee. Brighton lost Leandro Trossard to Arsenal for £27m last week which could leave them short in that position with a few injuries.
Lee is a 21-year-old South Korean with ten senior caps for his country. He is described as a talented, skilful, left-footed attack-minded player, who has three goals in 47 appearances for the Spanish outfit. An attacking acquisition could be one to watch in the coming days.
Nicolo Zaniolo
Last weekend, there were rumours from Italy that the Seagulls wanted to sign wantaway Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo. The 23-year-old wants to leave Roma with AC Milan, Bournemouth and Tottenham amongst the interested clubs.
Roma are said to want around £35m to part ways with the Italian, which is likely to be out of Brighton’s price range. Their current transfer record is £20m, when they moved to sign Adam Webster from Bristol City in the summer of 2019.
Amadou Haidara
It was reported yesterday by Miguel Delaney that Brighton had a bid rejected by RB Leipzig for 24-year-old midfielder Amadou Haidara. Chelsea fans probably think a move for Haidara means Moises Caicedo is leaving the club but that won’t be the case unless someone pays over £75m.
Albion always like to have a plan in place if a player leaves, which could make a move for Haidara in the summer a likely option as interest in Caicedo intensifies. Leipzig are also reluctant to lose the Malian now anyway, with the German club four points adrift of league leaders Bayern Munich.
Mykola Matviyenko
Roberto De Zerbi has been keen to bring in left-footed centre back Mykola Matviyenko from his former club, Shakhtar Donetsk. Albion have had two bids rejected, with the Ukranian side holding out for 30 million euros for the 26-year-old.
Shakhtar are in a relaxed position following the sale of Mykhaylo Mudryk to Chelsea for £60m, which could rise to above £80m with add-ons. De Zerbi has been pushing the board to get the deal done, especially with Levi Colwill injured and probably returning to Chelsea in the summer when his loan deal ends.
Moises Caicedo
There has been a lot more reported interest in Albion’s midfielder Moises Caicedo than World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister. They are expecting the Ecuadorean to be with the club when the window ends but if a big offer came in (£80m+), they could be tempted to take the money.
It could be one to watch in the final few days of the window, with Arsenal and Chelsea circling, however it is a growing possibility he stays.
JG Writes 