Brighton & Hove Albion are interested in Nicolas Tagliafico with the left-back likely to leave Ajax, so what could their XI look like on the opening day of the term at Manchester United?
Graham Potter takes his Seagulls side to Old Trafford to see in the season on August 7. The Amex Stadium natives won their last meeting with the Red Devils 4-0 in May on route to a ninth-place finish in the Premier League. But Brighton have not yet beat them on the road.
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And the south coast side will now go in search of a first away win over Manchester United without Yves Bissouma. Tottenham Hotspur have signed the midfielder for £25m, rising up to £35m, as the Mali international shone on the ball and at interrupting attacks last season.
Marc Cucurella could also leave Brighton this summer, with The Athletic reporting the left-back wants to join Manchester City. The Spaniard is Pep Guardiola’s top target for the role, although the Citizens are loath to meet a £50m valuation amid competition from Chelsea.
Brighton are interested in Ajax ace Tagliafico as possible Cucurella replacement
Bissouma’s departure and a potential transfer for Cucurella will see Potter reshape his side this summer. Interest in the latter has also seen Brighton explore signing Tagliafico, as the 29-year-old Argentine is expected to leave Ajax after entering the final year of his contract.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports Brighton and Lyon are in the race for the full-back’s services. Sussex Live also cite Sevilla as a potential destination, as his Eredivisie outfit are only demanding £3.5m. But any move by Brighton hinges on Cucurella departing.
Tagliafico has spent the past four-and-a-half years in Amsterdam after moving to the Johan Cruyff Arena from Independiente for £4m. Over that time, the 40-cap dynamo has enjoyed 169 appearances and won three top-flight titles. He should now decide on his future soon.
Brighton beating interest from Lyon and Sevilla could see Tagliafico make his debut against Manchester United on the opening day of the new Premier League season. So, with that in mind, what could Potter’s XI look like at Old Trafford with Bissouma’s successor also hired?
Robert Sanchez (GK): Potter to fend off transfer interest in Spain international
Robert Sanchez endured some shaky moments last season but he was often a superb shot-stopper with 11 clean sheets in 37 Premier League games. The 24-year-old also earned his Spain debut, and TEAMtalk cite a £50m asking price to now fend off widespread interest.
Levi Colwill (CB): Brighton among clubs interested in Chelsea prospect
Brighton are interested in improving Potter’s defence with Chelsea prospect Levi Colwill, per Fabrizio Romano. The Seagulls, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest have each made approaches to sound out a permanent move after his impressive loan at Huddersfield.
The 19-year-old helped the Terriers reach the Championship play-off final before losing to Forest at Wembley. He featured in 31 second-tier games during the centre-half’s first taste of senior football, in which the England U21 international helped to keep 12 clean sheets.
Lewis Dunk (CB): Seagulls skipper returned to form after injury lay-off
Lewis Dunk returned to form at his usual high standards after a seven-game layoff with a knee injury through December and January. The Seagulls skipper sets the tone for Potter’s defenders to match and he remains one of the first names on the teamsheet at the Amex.
Adam Webster (CB): Potter will hope to see defender overcome injury issues
Potter will also hope to see Adam Webster overcome his fitness issues after suffering with injuries last term, as well. The centre-half was only able to start 16 Premier League games in 2021/22. But the Daily Mail noted Gareth Southgate was considering an England call-up.
Tariq Lamptey (RM): Brighton starting to see dynamic sensation return to form
Brighton began to see Tariq Lamptey start to recapture his dynamic presence on the right-flank after missing 10 months with a hamstring injury. The electric sensation could flip the game on its head and will now hope to enjoy an injury-free campaign to fulfil his potential.
Marshall Munetsi (CM): Brighton have expressed interest in Reims midfielder
Brighton have expressed an interest in signing Marshall Munetsi from Reims, according to the Daily Mail. The Seagulls see the Zimbabwe international as a possible replacement for Bissouma, having shown an immense skill in defensive duels and interceptions last season.
The 26-year-old’s form was comparable to Aurelien Tchouameni, who left Monaco for Real Madrid for €100m (£85m). Munetsi also hit four goals over 23 games under the eyes of the Seagulls’ scouts, and he could be available for £7m despite penning a new contract in May.
Moises Caicedo (CM): Ecuador international to build on promising form
Moises Caicedo will hope to build on the promising form the Eduardo midfielder displayed last season. Potter finally afforded the £4.5m winter 2021 arrival his Premier League debut at Arsenal in April, and helped to beat the Gunners before edging Tottenham a week later.
Nicolas Tagliafico (LM): Brighton are interested in exit-bound Ajax star
Brighton would be wise to sign Tagliafico from Ajax should Manchester City advance their interest in Cucurella this summer. The Argentine is a proven, dependable, defensive option at left-back and would also offer Potter heaps of domestic and international experience.
Alexis Mac Allister (RAM): Argentina international becoming undroppable
Alexis Mac Allister is becoming an undroppable piece of Potter’s plans after the Argentina international’s performances last season. The five-cap maestro offered five goals and two assists from 33 Premier League games, starting 22 – including a brace to beat Everton 3-2.
Deniz Undav (ST): Amex breakthrough awaits after prolific Union SG loan
An Amex Stadium breakthrough awaits Deniz Undav next term after the forward’s prolific loan spell with Union SG last season. The 25-year-old struck 26 goals and assisted 13 from 39 Jupiler Pro League appearances, and has now returned to Brighton chasing his debut.
Keane Lewis-Potter (LAM): Brighton must act fast to beat Brentford interest
Brighton are interested in signing Keane Lewis-Potter, but must act fast to edge Brentford to the Hull City sensation. 90min report the Bees are confident of agreeing a £16m transfer, rising to £20m with add-ons, as boss Thomas Frank steps up his long-standing admiration.
Prior reports by 90min had also cited Brighton, Southampton and Wolves among the clubs interested in Lewis-Potter. The 21-year-old lit up the Championship last season despite the Tigers finishing 19th, with the versatile England U21 ace hitting 12 and assisting four goals.
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