- Several Brighton first-team players face uncertain futures this summer
- Bart Verbruggen, Jan Paul van Hecke and Ferdi Kadioglu continue attracting major interest
- Sunday’s clash with Manchester United could mark emotional Amex farewells
Brighton & Hove Albion host Manchester United this Sunday knowing victory would secure European football for next season. It will also be an emotional afternoon at the Amex Stadium for some players.
With contracts expiring, transfer interest intensifying and several futures still unresolved, several Brighton players may be preparing for their final appearance in blue and white.
From long-serving leaders to rising stars attracting Premier League attention, here are 10 players from Fabian Hurzeler’s side who could wave goodbye this weekend.
Bart Verbruggen
The Dutch goalkeeper has taken another huge step forward this season and now looks like one of Brighton’s most valuable assets.
At just 22, Bart Verbruggen has attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Bayern Munich and Chelsea both heavily linked in recent months. With the World Cup approaching, Verbruggen’s value may only rise further.
Brighton still have depth in the goalkeeping department through Jason Steele, James Beadle and Carl Rushworth, which could tempt the club into a major sale if the right offer arrives.
Jan Paul van Hecke
One difficult afternoon against Leeds United will not erase what has largely been another outstanding campaign from Jan Paul van Hecke.
The Dutch defender has developed into one of Brighton’s most important players under Fabian Hurzeler, but his contract situation remains concerning. He enters the final year of his current deal this summer.
Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked. Brighton would likely demand more than £50 million, but unless a new contract arrives quickly, speculation will only intensify.
Joel Veltman
Quietly one of Brighton’s smartest signings of the Premier League era costed the Seagulls just £900,000. Joel Veltman is out of contract this summer and continues to attract interest from Ajax, where he spent the majority of his career before joining Brighton in 2020.
The 34-year-old has made 191 appearances for the club and remains one of the squad’s most reliable professionals. However, with Mats Wieffer increasingly trusted at right-back, Sunday could mark the end of Veltman’s time at the Amex.
Carlos Baleba
Few Brighton players divide opinion quite like Carlos Baleba.
On his day, the Cameroon international looks like one of the Premier League’s best midfielders. The problem has been consistency. His season has fluctuated wildly between dominance and frustration.
Manchester United retain a long-standing interest and Brighton may decide this is the right summer to cash in if a major bid arrives.
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Matt O’Riley
The move never truly clicked. After arriving with high expectations, Matt O’Riley suffered an injury immediately against Crawley on his Brighton debut and then struggled to establish himself under Hurzeler.
He later spent time on loan at Marseille before returning in January, but opportunities have remained limited. Interest from Juventus, Roma, Atalanta and Everton suggests there is still a market for the Denmark international. A permanent departure feels increasingly possible.
James Milner
Nobody quite knows what comes next for James Milner.
The veteran midfielder turns 40 this year and remains out of contract heading into the summer. Hurzeler and Lewis Dunk have repeatedly praised his influence behind the scenes, particularly with Brighton’s younger players.
Milner still contributes on the pitch when needed, but his biggest value may now come in the dressing room and on the training ground. Brighton want him to stay, whether he decides to continue remains unclear.
Solly March
This would be the emotional one. Solly March has fought his way back from serious injury problems and recently returned to first-team action after a brutal period on the sidelines.
A homegrown player who embodies Brighton’s rise through the divisions, March is hugely popular among supporters. However, his contract situation remains unresolved.
Few players deserve a European night at the Amex more than him.
Adam Webster
Injuries have completely disrupted Adam Webster’s season. The defender has not featured following long-term knee issues and is certain to leave the club this summer. Brighton’s defensive depth has evolved significantly during his absence.
He was solid during his seven seasons at the club, but a new chapter is around the corner for Webster.
Igor Julio
It has been a frustrating campaign for Igor Julio. After returning from a loan spell at West Ham in January, opportunities have remained scarce.
Competition for places have left the Brazilian centre-back on the fringes of Hurzeler’s plans. Brighton are expected to reshape parts of their defence this summer, and Igor could be one of the casualties.
Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro have had an initial bid rejected by Brighton, although they remain optimistic that a deal can still be completed this summer. Cruzeiro are now preparing to return with an improved proposal as they continue efforts to strengthen their defence ahead of the next transfer window.
Ferdi Kadioglu
Ferdi Kadioglu was recently named Brighton’s Player of the Season after an outstanding debut campaign. The problem? That award has developed an unfortunate pattern at the Amex.
Moises Caicedo left for Chelsea after winning it. Marc Cucurella did the same. Ben White departed for Arsenal. Pascal Gross joined Borussia Dortmund the summer after claiming the honour.
Van Hecke briefly broke the trend last year, but now looks heavily linked with a move himself. And now, the ‘Player of the Season curse’ may be threatening to strike again.
Reports are linking Kadioglu with Manchester United, plus the Turkish international recently admitted that a return to Fenerbahce would be nice one day.
He said: Leaving Fenerbahce was very difficult for me. I really love the club and I love the city. I think everyone saw the interview I gave when I left. It was very emotional. Maybe I’ll come back one day… it would be nice if it happened.”
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