Brighton transfer news: Seagulls eye record-breaker who snubbed Leeds

Follow us on Google Discover

Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly interested in signing New York City FC striker Valentin Castellanos. with the on-loan Girona forward snubbing a move to Leeds United in the summer.

According to the Independent, the Seagulls are looking at options in the January market to bolster their attacking options, with Leandro Trossard expected to leave with the Belgian international’s contract heading into its final six months.

And as per the report, Castellanos is a player who fits Brighton’s profile, though the Seagulls could face a messy process in trying to sign the Argentine attacker given that the forward is currently set to join Girona on a permanent deal this year from New York City.

Breaking numerous records in MLS in 2021, Castellanos was heavily linked with a move to Leeds according to journalist Dean Jones. However, New York City’s sister club, Girona, eventually won the race for the forward, who could now be set for a move to the Premier League with Brighton.

Once valued at £12m, Roberto De Zerbi’s side face quite the logistical challenge in trying to sign Castellanos this month. However, given how much Brighton recouped in the summer for the likes of Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma, the finances are there to complete a deal for the Argentine.

Indeed, with Trossard set to leave Brighton, Castellanos could be an excellent replacement for the 28-year-old winger. And whilst a deal might be hard to get over the line, the Seagulls have the finances and the time to get something wrapped up before the closure of the transfer window.

Brighton signing Castellanos will sting for Leeds

Castellanos was viewed by many last January as the next great MLS superstar to make the move to the Premier League, and for Leeds, this is why seeing Brighton sign Castellanos will feel like such a blow given how close the Yorkshire side seemingly were to a deal for the Argentine.

After all, Jesse Marsch knows the American market better than anyone, and Castellanos is a player who could not only thrive for numerous Premier League clubs but could also open another door for MLS players to move to England, with Brighton now seemingly set on signing the South American this month.