All the latest transfer news for Brighton and Hove Albion and across the Premier League
Brighton continue to revamp their squad during the summer transfer window.
Brighton hope to conclude the record signing of Luka Vuskovic from Tottenhamplaceholder image
Brighton hope to conclude the record signing of Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham | Getty Images
The defence has seen the majority of the movement with the £52m sale of Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham and the exits of experienced defenders Joel Veltman and Adam Webster. Veltman is reportedly back in pre-season with his old club Ajax.
Centre back Pascal Struijk was drafted in for £18m from Leeds United and defenders Costinha and Michael Svoboda joined from Olympiacos and Venezia FC respectively for a combined total of around £12m.
Struijk looks a sound piece of business and the Dutchman will add much-needed physicality and top-flight experience to Fabian Hurzeler’s backline.
Diego Coppola out and Luka Vuskovic in
There is however more work to do on the defence. Brazilian centre back Igor Julio and ex-Derby County man Eiran Cashin are both expected to exit this summer, while Diego Coppola is said to be putting the final touches on his move to Paris FC.
Coppola is an interesting one. He joined Brighton last summer for around £8m and the Italian international was seen as a potential future replacement for Van Hecke and/or 34-year-old Lewis Dunk, who has one year left on his contract.
Coppola struggled for minutes in the Premier League and spent the second half on loan at Paris FC. The French club - who just appointed Liam Rosenior as head coach - now look to make that deal permanent for around £18m, despite firm interest from Italian club Lazio.
Dunk and Boscagli are the centre backs left from last season but Brighton continue to work on brining in Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham.
The £50m deal for the Croatian is set to smash Brighton's incoming transfer record of £40m, which they paid Leeds for Georginio.
Vuskovic, 19, is keen to join Brighton and is set to complete his medical in the coming days. Vuskovic should be in the door in time for Brighton’s pe-season training camp in France, which is scheduled for July 23.
Evan Ferguson
Meanwhile the future of Brighton striker Evan Ferguson remains uncertain.
Ferguson, 21, spent last season loan at Roma but suffered an ankle injury that cut short his season. The Ireland international underwent successful surgery and will hope to be fit for the new season.
Former Ireland international defender Richard Dunne believes his needs a fresh start to kick-start his career and believes Celtic could be an "ideal" option.
"It’s definitely now best to look to move on from Brighton to further his career. Ferguson has so much talent. I think Celtic would be a good fit indeed for him. Start off the new season with a new club where he can play regular football."
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