**TBR Football can exclusively confirm that a host of Premier League clubs including West Ham United and Crystal Palace were keen on a player who’s now joined Brighton & Hove Albion instead.**
Along with West Ham and Crystal Palace, the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool were also keen on the exciting full-back.
The Hammers, who will be looking for a much better campaign next time out, have only signed one player so far this summer – Scottish prodigy Daniel Cummings.
Meanwhile, the Eagles have not had the chance to be particularly active in the transfer window, as they are still waiting to find out whether they’ll be allowed to play in the Europa League.
Photo by Nico Vereecken / PhotoNews via Getty Images
On Saturday, Brighton confirmed the signing of Maxim De Cuyper, who joined the Seagulls from Club Brugge in a deal worth around £20million.
De Cuyper, a 10-cap Belgium international, has signed a five-year contract at the Amex Stadium.
**TBR Football** chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has confirmed that there was “keen interest” from West Ham and Crystal Palace over De Cuyper.
Meanwhile, Tottenham and Liverpool both made enquiries over the 24-year-old – but in the end, Brighton have won the race.
De Cuyper featured 54 times for Brugge in the 2024/25 season as they made the Champions League last 16 and finished three points behind Belgian league winners Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
The full-back scored four goals, recorded seven assists, and made the Champions League Team of the Week despite a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the last-16 first leg.
After De Cuyper’s arrival, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler told the club’s media team: “Maxim is a creative left-back who has great experience at Champions League level as well as in the domestic league.
“He has a great reputation for creativity and has shown his ability across different positions, although we primarily see him challenging for a left-back spot with us.
“Maxim arrives having won the league and cup in recent years with Brugge, so it’s great that despite his young age, he clearly has a winner’s mentality. We’re excited to work with him.”