There is a lot going on in the football world down here on the South Coast – as you would expect with only 9 days to go until the Premier League season begins for the Seagulls. We have news of players coming in, players rumoured to be coming in and reports from the pre-season action. Featured Image © Brighton and Hove Albion Twitter
Image © Radio Times
Graham Potter’s men have enjoyed a successful pre-season campaign; following the entertaining win in Austria which we reported on, they have gone on to record victories over Crawley Town and Birmingham City. A narrow defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage is the only negative on Potter’s first close season score card. Tomorrow evening Brighton will play host to Spanish giants Valencia; players and fans alike will be hoping for further signs of progression when the final and most high-profile warm-up match kicks off (7pm). Tickets are still available and before 9am tomorrow they are priced with a £5 discount across the board.
Featured Image © PlayersVoice
On the transfer front, defender Markus Suttner has departed, signing for Fortuna Dusseldorf. This follows his short spell at the German side last season. Two days ago free-agent and former Peterborough defender Lewis Freestone was added to the summer signings list. The 19-year-old will continue his development with the under-23 squad, managed by Simon Rusk. In the first team set-up, Graham Potter will be confident of adding some last-minute quality to his group, having already captured big money signing Leandro Trossard, one for the future Matt Clarke, as well as a host of free agents.
Image © The Mirror
The rumour mill today suggests that Bristol City centre-back Adam Webster is on the verge of signing on the dotted line for a club record £20m. That could spell the end for Lewis Dunk and bring the curtain down on his hugely productive career at the AMEX. The predicted domino effect of Premier League defenders could see Dunk move to Leicester as a replacement for Harry Maquire, who is reportedly on the verge of joining Manchester United.
The 2019/20 Premier League opener against Watford is fast approaching. We’ll preview that as well as reporting on the Valencia friendly and any other transfer activity next week.
