Brighton are known for having one of the best transfer strategies in the world. They’ve somehow managed to not just survive but thrive after selling their best players every summer.
As we’ve seen this season though, it can’t go on forever. The cracks started to show this season, and now, without Roberto De Zerbi, the Seagulls need to retool this summer.
Here are five players Brighton should sign in the 2024 summer transfer window.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, MF (Leicester City)
Brighton transfer rumors are usually just that; rumors. In the case of Brighton’s interest in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, it was more than a rumor.
All of the club’s top reporters claim the Seagulls bid £30 million on the midfielder in January. Because Leicester City were in the middle of a promotion push, the Foxes were unwilling to let him go. That could change this offseason.
Despite their promotion, Leicester City are still in huge financial trouble. They will need to sell players this summer. If they don’t they could be making their return to the Premier League with a points deduction.
Dewsbury-Hall has said he wants to stay, but it might be out of his hands. Brighton are known to go back in for past targets. We expect them to go back in for Dewsbury-Hall this summer.
Juanlu Sanchez, RB (Sevilla)
Right back isn’t the most glamorous position on the pitch, but it’s the one Brighton need to address most in the 2024 summer transfer window.
The Seagulls’ current right backs, Joel Veltman and Tariq Lamptey, have not been reliable options due to injuries and inconsistent performances. At a minimum Brighton need more depth. Really though, an upgrade is necessary.
Sevilla right back Juanlu Sanchez could be the upgrade Brighton need. The 20-year-old has been a jewel in Sevilla’s underwhelming season. His ability to play as a traditional right back, right wing back, and right midfielder gives him a similar profile to Marc Cucurella before he joined the club in 2021.
According to FBref, Sanchez ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles and 96th percentile for blocks. In attack, he’s in the 89th percentile for assists, 94th percentile for successful take-ons, and 93rd percentile for progressive passes received.
Sanchez could very easily become the attacking outlet Brighton are missing at the right back position right now.
Most reports claim Sanchez has a €20-25 million release clause, making him an affordable option for the Seagulls. They could have some competition for his signature though, with Real Madrid also reportedly interested.
Jota Silva, FW (Vitória de Guimarães)
On paper, Brighton have quite a few forward options. Veteran Danny Welbeck has just signed a new contract, Evan Ferguson is one of football’s exciting young stars, and Joao Pedro has proven to be a reliable goalscorer.
In reality though, Welbeck is old and rarely scores, Ferguson is starting to become injury prone and is still a bit raw, and Pedro has been used more as a second striker along with another forward. Brighton need more options up front. Enter Jota Silva.
Silva has been one of the best players in the Primeira Liga this season outside of Portugal’s Big 3. He’s racked up 11 goals and 6 assists for a strong Vitória SC.
Only six players in the league have received more progressive passes than Silva, which shows his ability to get into dangerous areas.
Brighton were linked to Pedro in the January window and throughout the spring. The 24-year-old has played right wing, left wing, and up front as a part of a front two.
This versatility makes him an ideal candidate to back up João Pedro or even work alongside him up front.
Samuel Iling-Junior
Brighton’s 2023/24 season really started to take a turn for the worst when Kaoru Mitoma went out injured. The Japanese international became the focal point of Brighton’s attack once right winger Solly March tore his ACL in October.
Without both starting wingers, the Seagulls struggled.
Juventus’ Samuel Iling-Junior is unlikely to replace Mitoma, but he could provide some much-needed depth at left wing. Asfu Fati was supposed to be that player, but he didn’t live up to his high expectations on loan with Brighton this season.
Ibrahim Osman could fill that role too, but recent rumors have linked the incoming left winger to a loan away from the club for the 2024/25 season. .
Brighton could sign Iling-Junior from Juvenus for as little as £12 million. They were reportedly interested in signing him in January too, but the winger opted to stay and fight for his place at Juve instead.
He played 90 minutes just twice after the January window closed. Brighton could be a good place for the Englishman to finally jumpstart his career.
Diego Gómez, DM (Inter Miami)
It wouldn’t be a transfer window without Brighton signing a young South American. This year, it could be Inter Miami’s Diego Gómez.
The Paraguayan defensive midfielder was seen as a coup for Miami when they signed him in the summer of 2022 for €2.7 million. When healthy, Gómez has been a mainstay of their midfield. It now looks like he’s ready to move on.
Brighton are one of many clubs who have been linked with Gómez. Another Premier League club and at least two Italian clubs are also interested in signing the 21-year-old this summer.
Inter Miami are reportedly willing to let him go for as little as €6 million.
Gómez normally plays as a typical destroyer alongside Sergio Busquets, cleaning up behind Lionel Messi and company up front for Miami. That being said, he has shown flashes going forward from the defensive midfielder position.
If Brighton do sign Gómez, Seagulls fans shouldn’t expect much from him right away. He’ll probably be bedded in slowly throughout the season, like Carlos Baleba was this year.
