Brighton are rarely active in the January transfer window when it comes to first-team signings, but the winter is usually when they bring in some of their best young prospects for the following season or two.
Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and Tariq Lamptey are among a host of stars to have been signed in January windows, with current squad members Yasin Ayari, Stefanos Tzimas and Diego Gomez similarly signed in previous winters.
Despite the low business trend, there is a growing feeling that Brighton may need to bolster their ranks next month and add depth to certain areas of the team and add some extra quality to help their push for European football.
The Brighton Base takes a look at five summer targets who the Seagulls could go back in for in January, and how they’re getting on so far this season…
Gonzalo Garcia – Real Madrid
The 21-year-old Spanish striker was linked with a move to the south coast in mid-June after netting 25 times for Real Madrid’s reserves last season.
Despite talk of a move, he was given a chance in the Club World Cup by new manager Xabi Alonso, where he scored four goals and provided one assist in six games. His impressive performances quickly prompted the Spanish club to offer him a fresh contract extension and ultimately end any chance of a summer move.
However, things haven’t gone as he or the La Liga side would’ve hoped, with the No.16 only playing 330 minutes so far this season and yet to score in any competition. His lack of minutes would make a January loan seem highly likely.
As for Brighton, Fabian Hurzeler’s side recently lost Greek forward Tzimas to an ACL injury for the rest of the season, and talisman Danny Welbeck is struggling with back issues. This leaves them with no out-and-out No.9 and having to play one of Georginio Rutter, Brajan Gruda, or Charalampos Kostoulas up front.
With Albion’s injury problems and Garcia’s desperate need for minutes, a move would make sense for all parties, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see an offer put on the table if there is encouragement from Madrid.
Kobbie Mainoo – Manchester United
The once-biggest prospect in the Premier League has struggled for game time since Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford, starting just half of Manchester United’s league games last season, and, so far, playing only 302 minutes this season.
His lack of minutes under the Portuguese manager and his unhappiness at the club caught the attention of many clubs over the summer, including Brighton, but eventually the Red Devils decided to keep him.
With the 2026 World Cup rapidly approaching, it seems inevitable that the Englishman will push for a January move in a last-gasp attempt for minutes and put himself in the frame for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad.
With Carlos Baleba away at AFCON and Mats Wieffer seemingly the first-choice right-back, the Seagulls are in need of a defensive midfielder, but with the 13-time Premier League winners likely to demand a high price due to his potential, a permanent deal seems extremely unlikely. However, Bloom could be tempted to try to bring the youngster in on loan if his wage demands are affordable.
Harvey Elliott – Aston Villa/Liverpool
Harvey Elliott was reportedly Brighton’s top target over the summer as they felt he could take them ‘to the next level.’ However, their lack of European football scuppered any chance they had at securing his services, and on September 1st, he made a loan move to Aston Villa with an obligation to buy, depending on the number of Premier League appearances he makes.
It seemed a perfect move for the 22-year-old to get his career back on track after receiving little game time at Liverpool despite being named the Under-21 Euros player of the tournament. But, under Unai Emery, he’s played just 167 minutes across five games and been told he will not be joining the club permanently, and they are actively looking for a solution for him.
His underwhelming start to the season could see the Reds recall him, but due to league rules, he can’t play for another team this season, having already played for both his parent and loan clubs. While a January move is off the cards, the Seagulls could return to the table in the summer and present him with a chance of regular first-team football.
Joe Gomez – Liverpool
Brighton are shallow in the right-back department, with the only natural one being Joel Veltman, who has only recently returned from a calf injury. The squad’s lack of a right-sided defender has seen Hurzeler play midfielder Wieffer out of position, and whilst he’s played well, it’s clear that it’s not his favoured role.
The Seagulls hierarchy knew this before the season started, but despite their best efforts, they were unable to bring another option in. It later emerged that Brighton made a deadline day move for Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, but the move broke down at the final hour due to wage demands.
Ultimately, the versatile defender stayed with Liverpool, but so far, he’s been used sparingly by Arne Slot, playing 509 minutes across 12 games. He also missed last weekend’s Premier League game against Tottenham with a muscular injury.
Typically, when the Albion miss out on a player, they reignite their interest further down the line, and with their need for a right-back growing and Gomez’s lack of minutes catching the eye, there is every chance that the 28-year-old could still head to the Amex Stadium after all.
Christos Mouzakitis – Olympiacos
The Seagulls have a plethora of options in central midfield, including Jack Hinshelwood, Ayari, Diego Gomez, Malick Yalcouye, Matt O’Riley, and many other promising talents coming through the academy, so a midfielder was low down on the targets list in the summer, and that’s likely to still be the case next month.
However, when a player like Christos Mouzakitis starts to break through, it would be a mistake not try and sign him. That’s exactly what Brighton’s train of thinking was too, reportedly having a £34.7million bid rejected for the 18-year-old Greek.
The teenager has impressed this season, making 20 appearances, providing two assists, and being handed three World Cup Qualification caps. His performances have caught the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs, and that’s seen him linked with £40million moves to the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
A deal for Mouzakitis is a difficult one for Brighton to pull off, but if they don’t make a move in the coming weeks, by the time the summer window arrives, it is very likely that he will have attracted more interest from bigger clubs, and his price tag will have skyrocketed. Therefore, a move in the upcoming window seems possible, but beyond that, it’s unlikely that he will be as attainable.