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Chelsea have initiated promising discussions with Brighton regarding the potential transfer of forward Danny Welbeck. With only one year remaining on Welbeck’s contract, Brighton have expressed openness to a sale, provided the offer meets their valuation.
Meanwhile, Brighton are leading the race to sign Roony Bardghji. The club is prepared to submit a formal bid contingent on the departure of Yankuba Minteh. However, Barcelona are reportedly seeking to include a buyback clause in any agreement involving Bardghji.
Pre-season Adjustments and Contract Renewals
Brighton’s pre-season plans experienced disruption after the club had to cancel their training camp in France. The decision came following damage to local pitches caused by G7 summit helicopters, which led to the cancellation of a friendly match against Annecy. The team relocated to Austria for their preparations, where they are now expected to play only four pre-season games before the 2026-27 season begins.
In Austria, defender Lewis Dunk became a notable figure by bringing a 200-pack of Yorkshire Tea to the camp, symbolizing a touch of home amid the sudden changes. The squad’s pre-season also featured the presence of key players such as Evan Ferguson and Kaoru Mitoma, alongside new signings who were observed integrating into the team.
On the contract front, Brighton secured the future of their captain, Maisie Symonds, who recently signed a new long-term deal. Symonds played a pivotal role in leading the team to the Women’s FA Cup final and received her first senior call-up to the England national team in 2025.
Brighton also stands to benefit financially from the transfer of goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen to Ipswich. The club retains a 40% sell-on clause from his previous transfer from USG, which was valued at €10 million plus €3 million in additional fees, promising a significant cash boost.
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