Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud could make an early departure from the Premier League with Stuttgart closing in on a potential £8 million deal to bring the former Dortmund ace back to the Bundesliga.
EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC Football understands that the 2023 arrival, who was viewed in some quarters as one of the most inspired additions of the summer window when joining in June, could be on his way out of The Amex already, after a grand total of six league appearances under Roberto de Zerbi.
Mahmoud Dahoud, a rare ‘miss’ in a sea of ‘hits’ for a Brighton side who’s recruitment department is the envy of most top-flight clubs, is close to securing an immediate return to German football.
High-flying VFB Stuttgart are in advanced talks over a loan deal which could be turned into an £8 million permanent transfer at the end of the current campaign.
Mahmoud Dahoud set to secure Brighton exit
Dahoud has failed to convince De Zerbi on England’s South Coast. The Syria-born Germany international wasn’t even named in Brighton’s matchday squad for Tuesday’s 4-0 thumping at Luton Town, having played just once since picking up a red card against Sheffield United in September.
Brighton, at least, could still earn a sizeable profit. Dahoud joined the club for free when his Borussia Dortmund contract expired, and could eventually add £8 million to The Seagulls’ coffers.
“I’ve already spoken to (Dahoud) a lot of times. I expect more and more from him,” De Zerbi, who is one of the candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, said of the 28-year-old a few weeks ago.
“(I want) more quality, personality, energy, enthusiasm.
“It can be difficult at the beginning in another country. In the end, we are competing at the first level of football and you need time. But football, sometimes, can’t give that time.”
Dahoud’s ‘time’ now appears to be running out in the blue-and-white of Brighton.
Dahoud out, Dewsbury-Hall in?
De Zerbi could use some of that potential £8 million windfall to finance a deal for Leicester City ace Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. HITC understands that Dewsbury-Hall is not the only Championship midfielder on Brighton’s radar, with Jordan James also picking up his fair share of admirers at Birmingham City.
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