It will be a big challenge for Brighton & Hove Albion to build on their strong showing in the Premier League last term. However, the hard work begins over the summer for Graham Potter and his side, as they look to bring in the right kind of player to take the Seagulls to the next level.
There has already been one eye on the future with the signings of Simon Adingra and Benico Baker-Boatiey this summer, but could Brighton dip into the free agency to help find the right balance for the season ahead?
Luis Suarez
Scoring goals has often been an issue for the Seagulls, which means that a striker will likely rank high on target for the summer months. Fortunately, one of the most prolific strikers in the European game is available on a free transfer this summer. Luis Suarez departed Atletico Madrid after his contract expired at the end of the 2021-22 season, and the former Liverpool star has already been touted with a return to the Premier League with Aston Villa.
If you offered me Luis Suarez, I’d bite your arm off. And he would too https://t.co/SQ4cCWO2I0
— We Are Brighton (@wearebrighton) May 15, 2022
While Suarez isn’t the force of old, it would be hard to find too many Seagulls fans that would be against bringing the Uruguayan back to the English top-flight on a short-term deal. He could help bring out the best in some of the talented youngsters around him, and his expertise could help Neal Maupay finally become the number nine that Brighton need him to be to take the club to the next level.
Florian Grillitsch
Following the departure of Yves Bissouma, Brighton will certainly be in the market for a defensive midfielder this summer. One name that Brighton fans will be dreaming of enticing to the AMEX Stadium this summer would be Florian Grillitsch. The midfielder was released by Hoffenheim at the end of the 2021-22 season after playing 18 games throughout the campaign. At 26, he would fit the profile of player that Potter will be looking for, while he has international experience, having played for Austria on 33 occasions.
Grillitsch can also play in defensive midfielder, which would only offer the Seagulls more freedom with how they play. However, it’s his experience playing in good footballing sides that would be the biggest plus of all. Signing the Austrian would ensure that there would be no drop off following the departure of Bissouma.
Okay Yokuslu
Attracting Grillitsch to the club may be a tall order given Brighton will be competing against sides such as Arsenal and Fiorentina, which means that they could instead target a player with previous experience in the Premier League. Okay Yokuslu is available on a free transfer this summer after his contract with Celta Vigo ran down.
The defensive midfielder enjoyed an excellent stay in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion in 2021, and was one of their standout players despite their relegation back to the Championship. Yokuslu became a fan favourite for his no-nonsense tackling, and he would be an affordable yet tailor-made replacement for Bissouma following his move to Tottenham Hotspur.
