- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC sources understand that Brighton & Hove Albion have made their position very clear in regards to a key player this summer.
Fabian Hurzeler replaced Roberto De Zerbi as manager of Brighton & Hove Albion with the Seagulls hoping to replicate the sort of football that the Italian brought to the Premier League.
Brighton have signed Feyenoord’s Mats Wieffer and have also added Newcastle’s Yankuba Minteh to their squad this summer as Hurzeler hopes to make an immediate impact on the South Coast.
Sales have also been important with Denis Undav attracting interest from VfB Stuttgart this summer but Brighton have made their stance clear on another player this summer.
Brighton keen to hold on to Simon Adingra
HITC sources understand Brighton do not intend on losing winger Simon Adringa this month after interest emerged from a number of Premier League rivals.
The Ivory Coast international enjoyed his first Premier League season last term after spending the previous campaign on loan in Belgium with Union.
During his spell in the Premier League last season, Adingra featured in 31 league games for the Seagulls, and started 25 of these, scoring six goals and providing one assist in the process.
The 22-year-old was hugely impressive under De Zerbi last season and HITC understands that his good form has resulted in enquiries coming from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Brighton insist that Adingra is not for sale
Sources have told HITC that Brighton have responded to interest in Adingra by insisting he is not for sale and see him as a key part of their plans for the upcoming campaign.
Back in May, after a victory over Aston Villa at the AMEX Stadium, Adingra was vital against Villa and the winger was praised on Match Of The Day, as per The Argus.
“He was the difference between the two teams,” Danny Murphy said. “Brighton turned them early. He was just really at it.
“He finds himself in the pockets. He has got good feet, he’s direct. Brighton have struggled for goals so there is obviously an emphasis from the manager on making more runs off the ball, which he did well.
“He kept getting in great positions. He will be disappointed he didn’t get on the scoresheet.”
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