All the latest transfer news for Brighton and Hove Albion and across the Premier League
So, according to reports, Tottenham want to sign three of Brighton’s best and valuable assets.
Carlos Baleba, Bart Verbruggen and Jan Paul van Hecke have all been linked with a summer switch to Spurs and reunite with former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian did a fine good by keeping Tottenham in the Premier League and now the rebuild begins.
De Zerbi knows Brighton trio
The link to the Brighton trio is an easy one to make as all three worked with De Zerbi during his two seasons with the Seagulls.
Baleba, Verbruggen and Van Hecke have all been linked with moves away this summer with Newcastle and Liverpool long-term admirers of Van Hecke. The Dutch international has just one year remaining on his contract at Brighton and as yet there seems little talk of him extending his stay with the Seagulls and widely expected to move on.
Verbruggen, 22, is one of the best young keepers in the Premier League and is expected to the Dutch No 1 at this summer's World Cup. Chelsea have been tracking the former Anderlecht man, while Bayern Munich also have a long-standing interest and see him as an ideal replacement for Manuel Neuer.
Baleba, 21, has been pretty poor for Brighton this season but his potential remains high. Manchester United tried to sign him last summer but Brighton’s £100m-plus valuation cooled interest.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler told Sussex World he “100 per cent” wants to work with Baleba next season but the Cameroon international may already be eyeing a big move away this summer. His future looks uncertain.
These are three big players for Brighton but they have shown in past, they are a trading club when the timing and price is right.
Bart Verbruggen
Verbruggen is an excellent goalkeeper but Albion also have the reliable Jason Steele, along with excellent. Carl Rushworth and England under-21 James Beadle. Losing Verbruggen would be a blow but one Brighton can cope with.
Jan Paul van Hecke
Van Hecke will be the hardest of the three to replace. The Dutch defender - despite a couple of recent howlers - has been excellent for the last few seasons. Lewis Dunk, 34, remains for another season and Italian international Diego Coppola will return from loan at Paris FC, but is mostly untested in the Premier League.
Olivier Boscagli has impressed when the given the chance this season but he perhaps lacks the physicality of Van Hecke and Dunk. Igor Julio and Adam Webster are also expected to leave. It’s an area Brighton have to address this summer.
Carlos Baleba
After this season, most Brighton fans would happily drive Baleba to North London. His value may have dipped somewhat from £100m but he remains a huge talent and has proved in the past that he’s one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
De Zerbi could be the man to get the best from him at Tottenham and it will be interesting to see if Man United return for him this summer. Brighton currently have Pascal Gross and Yasin Ayari as their main midfielders. Mats Wieffer could also have more central role next term, if as expected, Brighton sign a right back this summer.
How much for all three?
It’s an easy transfer to link to make. Tottenham need a rebuild, De Zerbi worked with these three players at Brighton and all three are rumoured to leave the Amex this summer.
That all makes sense and sounds simple but football rarely works like that. Brighton are tough negotiators and will want the absolute maximum for each player. Tottenham are far from the only club interested in the trio and bidding war could drive the price up further.
Yes, all three would probably do well at Tottenham but it will cost them. £200m-plus perhaps?
Continue Reading