The latest episode of the Albion Unlimited podcast has landed.
BBC Radio Susex's Johnny Cantor and former Seagulls forward Warren Aspinall to discuss all things transfer window, including the signing of Diego Coppola, Joao Pedro's future and James Milner's contract.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Bayern Munich will target Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma if they miss out on Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams. (Sky Germany), external
Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesOther teams will be "jealous" of Brighton signing Diego Coppola early and he will "compliment" other Seagulls defenders well, says football analyst Ben Mattinson.
The club confirmed the signing of the 21-year-old centre-back from Hellas Verona on Tuesday for a undisclosed fee believed to be around 11m euros (£9.4m).
Coppola made his debut for Verona in 2021, having emerged from the club's academy and has gone on to make 81 appearances for the Serie A side since.
The defender has already been capped twice for Italy and is representing the under-21s in the European Championships.
"What intrigued me the most is he is not the type of defender you would associate with the recent type of defenders Brighton have signed," Mattinson told BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast.
"When you think of other ones, there is a lot who are very skilled on the ball and not as physical defensively. Whereas this is not the polar opposite, but he is really good defensively, a good in the box defender, and has the physical presence that at times Brighton have needed more of.
"Also, he is not really slow, but he is not electric quick, however, he reads the game really well which helps when defending bigger spaces. Anticipating when to come up and press the ball or when to drop back and sweep and defend the space – he is really good at reading danger like that."
Brighton have often had a focus under recent managers on defenders who are good with the ball at their feet and can help build up play from the back.
Coppola represents a slight step change from this with his skills currently rooted in his ability to try and win the ball back and defend his area - helped by his tall stature at 6ft 4in.
So while the likes of Jan Paul van Hecke come out on top for possessional stats, Mattinson believes the Italy international's style could work well alongside those currently in the Seagulls backline.
"Coppola is a more aggressive defender so you can see him working well with a player like Jan Paul van Hecke who is a lot better on the ball - that will be a nice compliment for each other," he added.
"He is really good aerially as well, he is about 6ft 4in. I'm surprised that at that price none of the big Italian teams were going for him, so it says a lot that Brighton were quick to get it done.
"He is going to be the type of defender that a lot of teams are going to be jealous that [Brighton] got ahead on it early."
Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesFollowing the signing of Diego Coppola from Hellas Verona, we asked you for your thoughts on the defender.
Here are some of your comments:
Tony: Coppola is tall, athletic and seemingly intelligent and capable with the ball. He could be a direct replacement in the middle of the defence for all-time favourite Lewis Dunk.
Flynn: Looks like a promising signing. At 6ft 4in, he fits the physical criteria Hurzeler asked for, and at 21, he has plenty of room to develop. Can't go too wrong for the price.
Matthew: On paper this looks like a fantastic signing. Time will tell if the guy can fit in well at Brighton as some of our recent signings have struggled to establish themselves.
As the transfer window is now open again until 1 September, we also asked you to tell us one player you want Brighton to sign, and a player you want to be sold this summer.
Here are a selection of your comments:
Simon: Joao Pedro can leave. He has been very good but we are very strong in his position. A bumper new contract for Kaoru Mitoma is the one signing we must achieve. Kaoru is on a different level to any other player and such a humble role model for the young players.
Oscar: The player I'd like out is Igor Julio, he is a player who is injury prone and can't get his way into the starting XI because of Jan Paul van Hecke's amazing season and Adam Webster's fill-in for Lewis Dunk. The player I would like Brighton to purchase is a striker but don't know who yet. Danny Welbeck can't play like he is now forever. I think we need to sign a striker that is able to be the next Welbeck. Maybe Jorgen Strand Larsen with his height and physicality in and around the box.
Ryan: Brighton need to sign Kyle Walker-Peters. Has represented England and is also versatile being able to play on both sides as a full-back. He is available on a free transfer and is a proven Premier League player. I believe that we should be looking to sell Joao Pedro. We have signed two young Greek forwards and Evan Ferguson will be returning from loan. With Joao Pedro's attitude problems and, at times, a lack of effort, I think this is the perfect time for him to step up to a higher level while we cash in on his talent. He is clearly a very gifted footballer but sometimes lacks the off the ball work that Fabian Hurzeler is looking for.
Julian: For all the positives, Joao Pedro's value could fall if misbehaviour grows quicker than his goal tally. There's a few in England Under-21 shirts at the moment (Charlie Cresswell, Tino Livramento) that look tempting but maybe Brighton could afford Bryan Mbeumo?
Image source, Getty ImagesNew Brighton signing Diego Coppola will give the side a "real physical presence", says boss Fabian Hurzeler.
The 21-year-old defender has completed a move from Serie A club Hellas Verona for an undisclosed fee on a five-year contract.
Coppola, who is 6ft 4in, has made 81 appearances for Verona, scoring four times, including twice in 35 appearances in 2024-25.
The centre-back is representing Italy at the U21 European Championship in Slovakia.
"Diego is an exciting addition for the club," head coach Hurzeler told club media.
"Although he is still young, he is tall, strong and mobile and he will give us a real physical presence.
"He has made impressive progress in Serie A and deserved his call-up to the Italian national team. We look forward to helping him develop even more."
What do you make of the signing? Is he what Brighton need? What can Coppola bring to the side?
Newcastle have opened talks with Brighton over the signing of forward Joao Pedro. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesNo sooner does the season finish and we start looking forward to key dates for the next campaign - and that will be a lot easier to do on Wednesday when the Premier League fixtures are released.
That's right, that special day in the calendar is almost here already. The day when you'll learn details of derby fixtures, Christmas opponents and end-of-season run-ins.
This page will bring you all the fixtures when they drop at 09:00 BST on Wednesday and we'll be giving you the chance to have your say on how things look.
The new campaign kicks off on the weekend of Saturday, 16 August and it will conclude on Sunday, 24 May 2026, when all 10 games will take place at the same time.
The transfer window is open again for summer business to be conducted.
Clubs can now strike deals until the deadline at 19:00 BST on 1 September.
So if you can sell one player who is it? And if you can buy one player only, who gets the nod?
Give us reasons for your choice but remember, in this instance it's a strict one player leaving and one coming in.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton's first signing of the summer is Greek teenager Charalampos 'Babis' Kostoulas, who has joined from Olympiakos for a fee of £29.78m, in what is the highest fee ever received by a club in Greece.
BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast has been speaking to journalist Kostas Lianos about the 18-year-old's profile and what Brighton fans should be looking forward to.
"Brighton have signed one of the biggest wonderkids in the world in my opinion," Lianos said.
"No-one is surprised in Greece with that. I feel like this is one of the most exciting signings for the club and the city of Brighton.
"Two years ago we were hearing about a 16-year-old called Babis Kostoulas and my generation grew up with another player called Athanasios Kostoulas playing for Olympiakos, that was his dad, a centre-back who won a lot of titles.
"Babis grew up with a father who was very successful at the most successful club in Greece so the name caught our attention but, slowly we were hearing from the academy that this player is meant for big things. We were waiting, counting the days, the months until this player finally got into the first team.
"His technique, his killer instinct, his speed, his mentality, his toughness, quickly earned him comparisons to Gabriel Batistuta [former Argentine forward]. For that reason Babis earned the nickname 'Babis-stuta'. So that's something for the Brighton fans to hold on to."
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, BBC SportKostoulas was joined by his family when signing for Brighton in a £29.78m on Thursday.
The Kostoulas family is steeped in footballing heritage and is forever connected to Olympiakos.
The father of Brighton's new forward is Athanasios Kostoulas, a former central defender who won seven league titles across a glorious eight year spell at the Athens club, while his older brother, Konstantinos, is also on the books of Olympiakos but spent last season on loan in Portugal at Rio Ave.
The entire family travelled to Brighton to witness the signing but, as is commonplace with these deals, it was a long day of paperwork, looking for houses and waiting for the official announcement.
When asked by BBC Sport about his feelings, Kostoulas' father, known as Thanasis said: "Today is a very important day for the whole family. Despite being many years a professional player myself, what has been achieved has happened in a very short space of time. Everything has happened very quickly and within one year.
"We are emotional but excited that everything should go well. We feel this opportunity is the best one possible and he will participate in the best league in Europe and the world.
"We are confident in his desire and ability to work hard to allow him to shine as he has done so far in his career."
Image source, HandoutThe Kostoulas family are steeped in Olympiakos history
Of course, it is bittersweet saying goodbye to a son who has lived his entire life in and around Athens. Kostoulas' mother Eirini said it was "emotional" to say goodbye but that this was the best opportunity that her son has been presented with.
There were also reflections from the family of memories like "Babis'" scissor kick against PAOK at Under-15s level, a first senior goal against the same club this season and, most poignantly, seeing both brothers lift the Uefa Youth League together.
The elder brother Konstantinos has a photo of himself and Babis celebrating beating AC Milan 3-0 in the final to win the title, the equivalent of the Champions League at youth level, in 2024 for Olympiakos. The pair are holding up the Greek and club flags and the image is a screensaver on his phone.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is excited to work with new signing Charalampos Kostoulas after the 18-year-old striker joined on a five-year deal from Olympiakos.
During a breakthrough season in Greece, the teenager scored seven goals in 35 appearances for the champions.
"Charalampos is an outstanding young player and we're delighted he is coming to Brighton," Hurzeler said. "He wants to play in the Premier League and we are excited about what he can bring to the team.
"He will give us different attacking options and we're looking forward to helping him adapt to his new environment."
Image source, Getty ImagesFollowing the news that Brighton have agreed a deal to sign 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiakos, we asked for your views on the move for the teenage forward.
Here are some of your comments:
Paul: I'm concerned his decision making on the ball seems really poor. He seems to base a lot of his play around take-ons and dummies he won't be able to get away with in the Premier League. I do ultimately trust the club on this, however.
Fran: New signing looks like one for the future - but if he is good enough, then play him. Don't spend that much money and send him out on loan. Ideally, we need an experienced striker, one who can get at least 15 goals a season. Same with young Watson. Don't keep signing youngsters for the future - play them now if they are good enough.
Roger: Kostoulas' arrival at Brighton will either hasten the exit of Evan Ferguson or motivate the young Irishman to drill down and regain the form he has already proved himself capable of. Kostoulas has yet to prove himself in the Premier League environment.
Gordon: He's coming to the best finishing school in football.
Tony: If recent strategy is anything to go by, he'll be off on loan somewhere, and it will be interesting to see how he develops.
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesGreek agent Giorgos Panou is credited with launching the career of superstar Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and is now doing the same in football with Brighton's soon-to-be new striker Charalampos Kostoulas.
Just as he spotted Antetokounmpo, then a second division Greek basketball player in 2013, he spotted Kostoulas, nicknamed "Babis", aged 15.
He is now on the verge of a record breaking £29.78m transfer to Brighton and when asked how the two talents compare, Panou replied: "I felt the same way when I first say Babis playing three years ago in an under-19s game, aged 13, to how I felt when I first saw Giannis.
"I got the feeling immediately that he is cold-blooded, immense talent, with great body language and ready to take on older, bigger guys without feeling pressure. I saw a potential to grow."
Chelsea have been credited with interest in Kostoulas in the past while Brighton are believed to have beaten some of the biggest clubs in Germany to his signature. So why move to the south coast? The answer is, perhaps, unsurprising.
"They won the family and myself with how the talk, negotiate, give all the tools to thrive and have a good track record of developing similar young talents," Panou added. "So we feel very comfortable, and we think I'm really sure that Babis will adapt really fast in this environment. It was a no brainer for me."
The former Greek basketball national team assistant coach, now brokering deals across two sports, believes this is a golden era of Greek football with Stefanos Tzimas also joining Brighton from Nurnberg this summer, while fellow Olympiakos talent Christos Mouzakitis, Genk attacker Konstantinos Karetsas and PAOK star Giannis Konstantelias are expected soon to move to a top five European league club.
Image source, Getty ImagesSo, with Brighton having agreed a deal with Olympiakos for 18-year-old forward Charalampos Kostoulas, we want your views.
What do you make of the signing? Has your scouting department unearthed another gem? And where do you see the youngster's place in Fabian Hurzeler's squad?
Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist
BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team have been answering transfer related questions and have received one about incoming Brighton forward Charalampos Kostoulas.
Steve in Brighton asked: I understand Brighton are signing a £34m 'wonderkid'. Any truth and who is he?
We answered: Brighton are indeed set to sign Olympiakos striker Charalampos Kostoulas for about £29.7m (35m euros) on a five-year deal.
The deal represents by far the highest fee ever received by a Greek club, beating the £16.6m Wolves paid to sign Daniel Podence from Olympiakos in 2020.
Coming up through Olympiakos' academy, Kostoulas won the Uefa Youth League in 2024 and has impressed in the first team.
He became the youngest goalscorer in the Greek Super League at 17 years, five months and 11 days.
The 18-year-old Greece Under-21 international completed his first season with seven goals in 35 appearances, as well as two trophies - the league title and the Greek Cup.
Kostoulas also has European football experience, featuring in eight of Olympiakos' Europa League matches.
He is the son of former Olympiakos and Greece defender Athanasios Kostoulas, while his brother, Konstantinos, is on loan to Rio Ave from Olympiakos.
What is Ask Me Anything?
Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.
We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.
The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits.
We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events.
Our coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio.
Send in your question to BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team here
Image source, Getty ImagesA number of clubs will try to sign defender Igor Julio this summer, according to the panel on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast.
Igor made just 13 Premier League appearances because of injuries last season, and with Brighton linked to a number of defenders it might not be a surprise to see him head the other way.
Podcast host Cantor believes a number of clubs will not be put off by his lack of game time.
"Igor will probably have a lot of interest in him. I know he's been unlucky with injuries, but at times we saw good - particularly during the European campaign and then a partnership with Van Hecke - before the injury.
"We always say he looks like he's playing with a cigar in his mouth, but actually he's a very capable player. He's not too old. There should be plenty of people happy to take him if Albion decide to sell him."
Former Seagulls forward Warren Aspinall added: "He's got a good pedigree under his belt. When he plays for Brighton, he's been very good barring the Leicester game.
"Since then, he's come back from injury and slotted in well. He can play as a left-back too, so I think there will be a lot of suitors wanting to take him."
Brighton will accept a bid of £50-60m for 23-year-old Brazil forward Joao Pedro, who is a target for Newcastle United. (Football Insider), external
Inter Milan are keen on signing 21-year-old Paraguay midfielder Julio Enciso from Brighton this summer. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
The latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast has landed!
The team discuss Brighton's potential incomings and outgoings for the summer transfer window, including Charalampos Kostoulas, Diego Coppola and Azzedine Ounahi.
Also, hear a featured interview with former Seagulls striker Baz Savage.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton goalkeeper James Beadle's loan move to Birmingham City is progressing, but will not be done before Tuesday's first transfer deadline.
The 20-year-old is expected to move to St Andrew's this summer for a season-long loan.
Beadle will be on international duty this month and he is likely to be England Under-21s' first choice for Euro 2025, with the Young Lions opening their title defence against Czech Republic on Thursday, 12 June in Slovakia.
Beadle spent last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, his second spell at Hillsborough, having also spent time at Oxford United and Crewe.
He is yet to make a senior appearance for Brighton, after joining from Charlton Athletic three years ago.
Birmingham are preparing for their return to the Championship after winning the League One title with a record 111 points last season.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on whether Brighton need to act urgently in the transfer market, with the first window closing at 19:00 BST on Tuesday.
Here are some of your comments:
Tony: I would like to see Jorgen Strand Larsen arriving at the training ground in Lancing today, considering Bryan Mbeumo seems to be heading elsewhere!
Thomas: Joao Pedro will hopefully go. The worry is with his temperament but nobody will match Tony Bloom's price tag. Bringing in a striker could be a good idea. Everything will be done before deadline day, in classic Brighton fashion.
Charlie: I would really like to get Harvey Elliott from Liverpool. There's an article up on BBC Sport about the uncertainty of whether or not he will be at Liverpool next year. He clearly wants more minutes and, with Florian Wirtz looking like he is going to be taking that attacking midfield spot at Liverpool, I think someone who can play as a midfielder, an attacking midfielder or a winger will be great for us.
