Brighton have announced the arrival of a player Man Utd enquired into signing, and one of Roberto De Zerbi’s next two transfer targets is also wanted by the Red Devils.
Both Brighton and Man Utd are in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer. United have allowed David de Gea’s contract to lapse, with the veteran Spaniard a free agent since midnight on June 30.
The Seagulls, meanwhile, have a decision to make on Robert Sanchez who asked to be left out of several matchday squads towards the back end of last season. Sanchez did not take kindly to losing his place to Jason Steele.
As such, a player Man Utd and Brighton both cast their eye over was Bart Verbruggen of Anderlecht.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano insisted United “called to be informed” on the 20-year-old who was recently named Anderlecht’s Player of the Season for the 22/23 campaign. Verbruggen also received his maiden call-up to the senior Dutch national side in March.
However, United did not act on their interest, thus leaving the door ajar for Brighton who have strode through.
Brighton announced the arrival of Verbruggen on their official website on Monday afternoon. The stopper has penned a five-year deal running until 2028, while Romano plus outlets in Belgium and the Netherlands claimed the transfer fee is €20m (approx. £17.2m).
Responding to the coup, Brighton boss De Zerbi said: “I am very pleased to have signed Bart.
“He is used to playing a type of football similar to ours and he will have no problem fitting into our group.”
Another Man Utd target to follow?
With a first ever European campaign on the horizon at Brighton next season, De Zerbi must flesh out his squad with quality additions.
Given Alexis Mac Allister has joined Liverpool and Moises Caicedo remains a target for Chelsea, a series of additions are required.
Verbruggen became signing No 4 upon following James Milner (free agent), Mahmoud Dahoud (free agent) and Joao Pedro (£30m) into the AMEX. But per Romano, at least two more signings are wanted.
Taking to Twitter, the trusted journalist revealed Ajax pair Calvin Bassey and Mohammed Kudus are next in De Zerbi’s sights.
Centre-back Bassey was a £20m signing from Rangers last summer, though the bigger story is arguably their interest in Kudus.
The versatile attacker, 22, has repeatedly been linked with Man Utd in the event they’re unable to sign the likes of Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen this summer.
Kudus is a known commodity to Ten Hag through their time together in Amsterdam. But per Romano, it’s Brighton who are mobilising.
The journalist added work began on bringing Kudus to Brighton 10 days ago, though acknowledged the deal is not yet close to completion.
Per the Daily Mail, Ajax will demand around £40m before letting Kudus leave. A fee of that size would smash Brighton’s transfer record that was set when buying Joao Pedro from Watford for £30m earlier this summer.
