Brighton transfer news: Five players Graham Potter should target this summer - including Ryan Sessegnon, Tammy Abraham, Ivan Toney

With seven Premier League matches remaining for Brighton & Hove Albion, the club’s main focus is ensuring their Premier League survival but attentions will soon turn to the summer transfer window
Brighton will look to sign a left sided player this summer and Ryan Sessegnon, currently on loan at  Hoffenheim, could well fit the billBrighton will look to sign a left sided player this summer and Ryan Sessegnon, currently on loan at  Hoffenheim, could well fit the bill
Brighton will look to sign a left sided player this summer and Ryan Sessegnon, currently on loan at Hoffenheim, could well fit the bill

Despite daunting fixtures, including Chelsea away, Manchester City (home) and Arsenal at the Emirates amongst them, the Seagull’s are expected to pick up the required points tally that will secure a fifth consecutive top-flight season.

The transfer rumour mill will undoubtedly spring into action as clubs look to improve their squads ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

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When analysing Albion’s season, the general consensus is that the club’s hierarchy will need to invest in the left-back and striking departments.

Danny Welbeck and Neal Maupay, although they have shown glimpses of quality this season but the Albion front line has often appeared blunted with the team regularly underperforming their xG. Potter will also be keen to provide cover and competition for the places on the left.

Here we take a look at who the club could bring to the south coast.

Ryan Sessegnon

A name that was consistently linked with the club last summer was Tottenham Hotspur’s Ryan Sessegnon, and Albion could do far worse than reignite their interest in the England under-21 international.

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It’s easy to forget that Sessegnon is still only 20-years-old due to the fact he broke onto the scene at 16 with Fulham. Many of Europe’s top clubs noticed the glaringly obvious potential he had and was swiftly snapped up by Spurs.

Jose Mourinho’s side will be reluctant to let him leave permanently so this may have to be a loan acquisition for Graham Potter’s Seagulls.

Sessegnon has enjoyed a loan spell at Bundesliga club Hoffenheim this season, where he has been able to polish his all-round game while showcasing his talent. In 17 appearances he has averaged 1.9 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 1.6 per game.

He’s also scored twice and registered two assists in Germany’s top-flight which proves he is a valuable asset in both aspects of the game- while embodying the modern-day fullback.

Adam Armstrong

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Albion have a habit of investing and unearthing hidden gems from the Championship and Adam Armstrong could be the next name to follow the path trodden by Maupay, Burn and Adam Webster.

The former Newcastle United striker has flourished for a mid-table Blackburn Rovers this season as has already been linked with potential suitors from the Premier League and it’s easy to see why.

In 35 Championship appearances, he’s scored 21 goals and registered three assists.

Armstrong is also much more than just a fox-in-the-box. His pass completion percentage of 74% is ideal for Potter’s free-flowing football and his versatility to play anywhere along the frontline may force the club’s hand.

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At 24-years-old, he’s primed and ready to step back into the Premier League. However, the transfer may seem like a gamble due to the fact he never scored in the top-flight for the Magpies.

Rovers will also be reluctant to let him leave as they eye a promotion charge next season.

Ryan Bertrand

If Albion are looking for Premier League experience, then they should look no further than Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand.

The Champions League winner with Chelsea is out of contract at St Mary’s Stadium in the summer and is yet to pen a new deal with talks potentially stalling. If the 31-year old doesn’t agree on a new deal with the Saints then Albion will be able to acquire his services for free.

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Bertrand has been an ever-present for Southampton since signing in 2014 and has been at the heart of Europa League campaigns, cup runs and maintaining the club’s Premier League status.

Across the 2020/21 season, the England international has averaged 2.1 tackles per match and registered one assist. If the former Aston Villa loanee was to sign for Albion it would also keep in line with the club’s ethos of signing experienced players to help the youngsters coming through the academy.

It is expected that Bertrand will eventually sign a new contract at Southampton, but Albion should be hot on his heels if he doesn’t put pen to paper.

Ivan Toney

Someone who is guaranteed to playing Premier League football next season is Brentford’s, Ivan Toney. Whether that’s with the Bees in gaining promotion from the Championship this season, or making the transfer to top-flight, Toney will not be short on suitors.

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At the time of writing, he has scored 29 Championship goals and registered 10 assists as the Bees are looking to cement their place in the play-offs for the second consecutive season.

Although Toney has only featured for 10 minutes in the Premier League while playing for Newcastle, his pedigree can’t be argued with. Last season he scored 24 goals in League One for Peterborough United and netted 16 times the season prior.

As previously mentioned, Toney’s form has caught the eye of many in the Premier League so it may prove difficult to land the 26-year-old’s signature. It will also take an eye-watering fee to prize him away from west London due to the fact he only joined the Bees last summer and has a number of years left on his contract.

Tammy Abraham

A slightly optimistic target could be Chelsea’s, Tammy Abraham. The England international’s appearances have been limited since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge, with the former PSG boss opting to use Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud ahead of the 23-year-old.

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Despite mainly appearances from the bench this season, Abraham has still scored six goals and registered one assist in 20 league outings for the Blues, while scoring and assisting once respectively in the Champions League.

Abraham would be a perfect fit in Potter’s system due to his clinical finishing ability and speed on the ball. As the former Swansea City boss often likes to operate with one striker on the pitch, there is a huge responsibility on whoever fills that role and Abraham is used to carrying the load which can be highlighted when he fired Aston Villa to promotion in 2019.

Due to former Blues manager Frank Lampard being replaced by the former Borussia Dortmund chief, it is rumoured that Abraham may be available this summer, and it’s certainly worth Albion chancing their arm in a bid to bring him to the AMEX.