Exclusive:Brighton transfer Q&A with Derren Howard: Rushworth, Cozier-Duberry, Tottenham latest and valuations of prized assets

Brighton have had a fast start to the summer transfer window as they prepare for the 2026-27 campaign.

Albion have already smashed their transfer record as Luka Vuskovic arrived from Tottenham for £50m, while Dutch international defender Jan Paul van Hecke moved in the opposite direction for a similar fee.

Defender Pascal Struijk joined from Leeds for £18m and talented young Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna signed from AIK for around £20m. The defence has also been bolstered by full back Costinha and centre back Michael Svoboda.

Sussex World reporter Sam Morton asks Brighton writer Derren Howard the latest on all the transfer news, including Carl Rushworth, Amario Cozier-Duberry, Tommy Watson, Evan Ferguson and more

Brighton transfer Q&A

Sam: Let's start with Carl Rushworth. There have been reports linking him with a move to Coventry, while Newcastle are also said to be interested. What's the latest on that situation, and how likely is a move to Coventry?

Derren: I think many Brighton fans would like to see him stay but they also understand that if Bart Verbruggen stays, Verbruggen would likely be the number one once again for Hurzeller next season.

Rushworth performed so well for Coventry in the Championship last season. Coventry are really keen to make the move permanently. They started the bidding at around £20 million. Newcastle did show some interest but as it stands at the moment, it looks like Coventry are still favourites. If Brighton are open for a sale, a permanent sale, then my hunch would be that Coventry are in a very good position.

Rushworth really enjoyed his time there last season, enjoyed playing under Frank Lampard. And I think he feels wanted there. And I think that could be a big factor in the move.”

Talks with Cozier Duberry

Sam: Moving on to Amario Cozier-Duberry, Brighton are reportedly in talks with him over a new contract. How important is it for the club to secure his future?

Derren: Last season at Bolton, he did really well in League One, helped them to promotion. And it's generated a lot of interest from clubs not only in England, but across Europe as well.

Anderlecht are said to have made a £5 million bid for him.I think (5:14) that would be rejected swiftly. I think that valuation is far too low. And Brighton are in (5:23) talks with Cossi-Dubre over a new contract as well.They see him in their first-team plans .

Albion will play Conference League and Premier League football this season, it's going to give him opportunities. I think Brighton will tie him down to a new contract and try and integrate him into the first-team. And I think his value is going to skyrocket over the next season or so.

What’s with Tommy Watson?

Sam: Tommy Watson is another player attracting transfer interest. There have been links with Derby and West Ham, as well as Leicester. What can you tell us about his situation and where you think he could end up?

Derren: My hunch is, and nothing concrete on this, but my hunch is that he'll go out on loan again this season. West Ham and Derby have been linked with Watson. Preston as well, and also Leicester, who dropped down into League One. So, plenty of interest for him. But that left wing position is quite an interesting one for Brighton, with Kaoru Mitoma injured.

Watson will be really keen to play regular football this season. And I think his best chance of that will be out on loan in the Championship, or potentially Leicester as well in League One. It's been a bit frustrating for him at Brighton.

Sam: Tottenham and Brighton have both been very busy this summer. We've already seen Jan Paul van Hecke move to North London, while Luka Vuskovic has made the move in the opposite direction. And now Andrew Crofts has also become part of that conversation. How significant could his move be, and what does it say about the links between Brighton and Tottenham?

Crofts exit a big blow

Derren: For Crofts, I think it's a blow for Brighton. He was a real key man behind the scenes, a real motivator. His knowledge of the club was excellent, a former player, and then came through and just developed so well as a coach. He knows a lot of the young players at Brighton, but he's also really well-respected with the senior players as well. Herzeler spoke when he left that he learned a lot from Crofts as well when he first arrived.

He was very highly thought of at Brighton, really valued. He was also part of (1:31) the Wales coaching set up under Craig Bellamy as well. A lot of knowledge and a lot of talent they've lost there. As yet, there's not too much talk of a replacement, whether Herzele's got someone lined up that he wants to work with.

My thoughts were there's a potential for a player coach role for someone like a Pascal Gross maybe, or could it be a chance for someone like James Milner to come back? It depends how Hurzeler wants to fill that void. But my view is that it's a blow for Brighton.

Transfer valuations

Sam: Let's talk about some of the players who could be at the centre of transfer speculation this summer, starting with Matt O'Riley. What do you think his current market value is, and could Brighton be tempted to sell if the right offer comes in?

Derren: I think O’Riley’s a player that would be looking to move on, to get regular football. Brighton paid £25 million for him from Celtic in 2024. And I think Brighton would hope to get a similar fee to that if they sell him. Atalanta and Roma have long-standing interest and Juventus as well.

Sam: What about Igor Julio? How do you assess his situation and his potential valuation?

Derren: Yeah, I think Igor Julio will be going. With all the movement that Brighton have had with defenders coming in, I think that would confirm his departure. He was always likely to go this summer.

Facundo on the move?

Sam: Facundo Buonanotte has also been the subject of plenty of speculation. What do you think Brighton would value him at, and do you expect him to remain at the club?

Derren: Facundo Bonanotte you mentioned as well. He's back in pre-season training with Brighton as well. He had two really poor loans, first of all at Chelsea and then at Leeds

It wasn't so long ago that Borussia Dortmund were keen. They were looking at £20 million for Facundo Bonanotte. He will need to play, either on loan or a permanent move away. He's a real talented player. I don't think he quite has the physicality that Hurzeler is looking for in one of his attacking players.

Fergie time

Sam: Finally, Evan Ferguson. He's been linked with a number of potential moves, so what do you think his future looks like? And realistically, what kind of fee could Brighton command for him?

Derren: Who knows? It really is a conundrum. First of all he needs to get fully fit after injury. Kostoulas, he started the pre-season really well and he'll be pushing to be Danny Welbeck's main understudy this year.

Stefanos Tzimas, he's coming back from his ACL injury. But where that leaves Evan Ferguson is a very interesting situation.

Again, in terms of his value, it's hard to really put a price on where he is. Obviously, he's still very young. There's such a great striker there. He needs a run of games in the next 12 months to keep fit, stay fit.

There's always the link with Celtic as well. Whether he would fancy a move there and play regularly and score in the Scottish Premiership, that could be an option as well. That's a big decision for Brighton to make.