'It's beautiful' – Arne Slot's £25m ace gives Brighton verdict after Liverpool interest

It's been a challenging start for Mats Wieffer at Brighton but the summer signing would not change a thing.

Wieffer, 24, joined the Seagulls for around £25m after two excellent seasons with Arne Slot at Feyenoord.

Slot moved to take charge at Liverpool and was heavily linked with a swoop for Wieffer, while Spanish giants Atletico Madrid also registered interest ahead of their move for England international Conor Gallagher.

Wieffer though was impressed by Brighton's ambition and agreed a five-year contract with Brighton until June 2029.

He made his debut for the Seagulls on the opening day of the season at Everton but picked up a knock that kept him on the side-lines for a month. He started the 4-2 Premier League loss at Chelsea and also came on for the last 30 minutes in their rousing 3-2 victory against Tottenham at the Amex Stadium last Sunday.

“The past period was a bit difficult," said Wieffer to Soccernews.nl. "I started at Brighton with an injury, but it’s all going well.

“I have only been here for a relatively short time, but so far it has been what I expected.

“I have already played in beautiful stadiums, for example at Chelsea and Everton where I felt a lot of history. I haven’t played in other competitions, so I can’t compare. What I see here is beautiful.

Asked why he joined Brighton ahead of other options, Wieffer added: "The picture they painted convinced me. They wanted to get me for a longer period.

"The club wants to invest and compete with the big teams. I believe that is possible, when we are in good shape.

"I also spoke to Bart Verbruggen, and he told me good things about the way of playing and what it is like to live there. It is relatively close to home and in a good place in England.”

Despite his lack of minutes, Wieffer was a surprise call-up to The Netherlands squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures against Hungary and Germany.

“I was a bit surprised, but when [Jerdy] Schouten dropped out, I hoped that I would be there,” he said.