West Ham are interested in signing Amario Cozier-Duberry from Brighton, according to The Athletic reporter Roshane Thomas.
The former Arsenal academy graduate was loaned out to League One side Bolton Wanderers last season, and he helped the Trotters secure promotion via the playoffs, scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists in all competitions.
Cozier-Duberry was nominated for the League One Player of the Year for his performances, but he will be returning to Brighton next month, where he has two years left on his contract.
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The Seagulls are keen on extending the 21-year-old’s current deal, but Thomas claims he is a “long-standing target” for the Hammers, and the London club could well make an offer for the player before the transfer window closes.
What do fans need to know about Cozier-Duberry?
The winger started his playing career at Chettle Court Rangers before joining Arsenal’s academy in 2019. He didn’t make a first-team appearance for the Gunners before leaving for Brighton on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.
Cozier-Duberry was loaned out just a couple of months after his arrival on the South Coast. He joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers for the 2024/25 season,
However, the forward struggled to get regular game time. After making his first-team debut as a late substitute against Bristol City in mid-September 2024, he only made 23 appearances in total, 7 of which were starts.
Cozier-Duberry did score his first senior goal against Luton Town in December, but that was as good as it got for him at Ewood Park.
After returning to Brighton last summer, the decision was made to try a lower level, and he certainly made a big impression at Bolton.
West Ham might be looking to replace Bowen
Thomas has also confirmed that Aston Villa hold a very strong interest in captain Jarrod Bowen, with manager Unai Emery said to be a big fan of the 29-year-old.
The player has not made a decision on whether he wants to leave yet, and the Irons would demand at least £50m for their talisman.
Villa are also not in a position to make a bid straight away, with funds needing to be raised from player sales.
Cozier-Duberry is a left-footed right winger like Bowen, though, so there is a possibility that the youngster is being lined up as Bowen’s replacement.
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