Turning their attention towards the summer transfer window, Brighton & Hove Albion are now reportedly keen on signing a key defensive addition ahead of rivals Crystal Palace.
Brighton transfer news
The Seagulls are once again back on track under Fabian Hurzeler after a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Nottingham Forest sparked doubts over his Brighton future for the first time. Now three games without defeat following two victories in two games against Chelsea and a comfortable 4-0 thrashing of struggling Southampton, those at The Amex will have their sights set on the European places once again.
Crucially, after shipping seven at Forest, Brighton have conceded just once in their last three games in all competitions – keeping clean sheets against both Chelsea and Southampton last time out.
There will, of course, still be some concerns over the nature of that Forest defeat but such a thrashing represents a blip rather than a growing trend under Hurzeler at this stage. And it’s a blip which The Amex are unlikely to see again if the Seagulls welcome one particular summer target.
According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Brighton are now keen to sign Rav van den Berg ahead of arch-rivals Crystal Palace this summer. The Middlesbrough defender has impressed once again in the Championship this season even as Michael Carrick’s side continue to slip away from their play-off ambitions.
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The teenage sensations have also caught the eye of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
Brighton, meanwhile, could certainly do with a long-term replacement for Lewis Dunk which Van den Berg would instantly provide. At just 20 years old, the Dutchman would become the future of Hurzeler’s backline alongside January arrival Eiran Cashin. Dealing Palace a transfer blow also wouldn’t go amiss in Sussex this summer, either.
“Terrific” Van den Berg could replace Dunk
As important as Dunk is, there’s no escaping from the fact that he’s 33 years old and gradually moving past the peak of his powers as a result. It’s something that Brighton will not want to be underprepared for given just how difficult it will be to replace their captain, making Van den Berg’s arrival all the more crucial this summer.
The 20-year-old has often found himself at the centre of praise throughout his time at Middlesbrough, including from Carrick. The Boro boss told reporters last season: “He’s a terrific individual, really grounded and humble, terrific character and great attitude. He has a real calming influence but quite sure of himself in a really good way.
“I think he told me he’d played right-back once before before Betis when Tommy got injured in pre-season. And he’s never played left-back in his life and ended up playing there against Sheffield Wednesday. He just has the ability to do that, he’s a really good footballer, he’s clever, sharp, hungry, he has a great attitude.”
A season on, Van den Berg has continued to impress and could yet have earned himself a move to the Premier League this summer as a result.
