Brighton have enjoyed a decent start to their Premier League season despite losing their head coach Graham Potter to Chelsea in September. Italian boss De Zerbi was brought on to continue Potter’s fine work and Albion are seventh in the league standings as the top flight breaks for the Qatar World Cup. The Seagulls will resume their campaign on Boxing Day at Southampton and then face Arsenal at the Amex Stadium on December 31. The January transfer window then opens and De Zerbi has already stated that he wants some reinforcements to his squad as they prepare for the second half of the season and a possible push for Europe. Albion have already been linked with a number of players, including some of De Zerbi’s former charges from his previous clubs Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Sussex World have taken a look a the transfer links and created Albion’s starting XI – if the transfer rumours are true...
9. Davide Frattesi - M
De Zerbi is a huge admirer of the Italian midfielder having worked with the 23-year-old at Sassuolo in Serie A. The £20m rated player is contracted with Sassuolo until June 2026 and is also wanted by Roma and AC Milan. Wages could be an issue but he would be a fine addition to the Albion ranks Photo: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE
10. Goncalo Ramos - A
Ramos is also being tracked by Newcastle and Man United and has nine goals in 11 outings this season. The 21-year-old Portugal attacker is valued at around £25m and is contracted with Benfica until June 2026. He would certainly be a lively addition to the Albion squad and would offer pace alongside - or instead of - Danny Welbeck. Photo: Octavio Passos
11. Mitoma - A
Brighton are all about succession planning and Mitoma has been an excellent addition and plays a similar role to Leo Trossard. Trossard could be the most likely to leave Albion this January and Mitoma would slot into the void perfectly and cushion the blow. Just as Caicedo did for Bissouma Photo: PHILIP FONG