Brighton have a reputation for plucking wonderkids seemingly out of nowhere. However, this latest transfer rumor seems odd even for the Seagulls.
According to multiple outlets in Colombia and Mexico, Brighton are still interested in signing Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier. He could cost as little as €8m. Tottenham have also been linked to the 24-year-old Colombian.
The Seagulls were linked to Mier back in January, but it was never clear whether that was just paper talk or a legit transfer rumor. I, and many Brighton fans, were inclined to think it wasn’t true due to the number of goalkeepers already under contract at the Amex.
In January, Brighton were still rotating their starting goalkeepers with Jason Steele and Bart Verbruggen only playing two or three matches in a row before being replaced.
Steele has been linked to a move to Southampton. Even if Steels goes, Brighton still have more high-quality young goalkeepers than most Premier League sides.
Verbruggen, 21, was one of the breakout stars of Euro 2024. He could play another seven or eight years as Brighton’s No. 1 before hitting his prime.
Carl Rushworth, 23, who spent last season on loan with Swansea, is a Premier League-quality goalkeeper on Ipswich Town’s transfer shortlist. Tom McGill, 24, spent all last season with Brighton’s first team and has recently broken into the Canadian senior national team. James Beadle, 20, is on loan in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday and could easily become another Premier League caliber goalkeeper on Brighton’s books.
Simply put, the Seagulls do not need another young goalkeeper. So why are they interested in signing one?
Bart Verbruggen has been ruled out for 6 weeks with an “unspecified injury.” He is expected to miss the first two matches of the season.
It’s either the Seagulls don’t trust any of their other goalkeepers to fill in for Verbruggen or maybe they are just stockpiling talent like they do at every other position. Alternatively, Brighton could be worried about losing Verbruggen next summer and are already looking at replacing him.
Whatever the case, signing Kevin Mier would be a very strange move. This rumor is one worth watching this transfer window as it could give some insight into Brighton’s transfer strategy this summer.
