Brighton & Hove Albion

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

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When an 18-year-old Evan Ferguson scored his first professional hat-trick in September 2023 it appeared he was destined to join the Premier League's elite.

The Irishman scored with three of his four shots in Brighton's 3-1 win over Newcastle to earn effusive praise. Alan Shearer labelled him a "special talent" while another goalscoring great Ian Wright highlighted his exceptional movement during his Match of the Day analysis that evening.

The treble took his Premier League total to 10 goals and only three players have ever bettered that tally prior to their 19th birthday; one was former Everton poacher Francis Jeffers and the other two rank among England's finest ever forwards:

But since that eye-catching moment the now 20-year-old has netted only three more times in 44 top-flight appearances and last season he mustered just three shots on target, scoring once:

Ferguson's notable decline has been put down to injuries, a loss of confidence and the form of others. The signing of Greek forwards Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas has pushed him further down the pecking order on the south coast.

However, there is still plenty of time for him to fulfil his undoubted potential and a move to Roma to play under one of Europe's most prized coaches in Gian Piero Gasperini could be just the tonic.

The Italian tactician got a tune out of strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Mateo Retegui at his former club Atalanta, and the 67-year-old has a proven track record of developing young players.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Brighton's Evan Ferguson will have a medical with Italian side Roma with a view to joining the Italian club on loan.

The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland striker is attempting to rebuild his career after injury and loss of form resulted in him dropping down the pecking order with the Seagulls.

He joined West Ham on loan for the second half of last season but made only eight appearances and started just once under former boss Graham Potter.

Roma have been in talks with Brighton after earmarking Ferguson to fill the void left by Tammy Abraham, who is playing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on loan at Turkish club Besiktas.

Brighton striker Evan Ferguson is in talks to join Serie A side Roma this summer. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

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James Milner says he is "feeling good" after a "long journey" back to fitness.

Milner underwent routine knee surgery after a knock in training in August 2024 but complications with the operation led to a long period of rehab.

The 39-year-old returned after nine months out in the final game of last season.

"I'm not 100% yet. We haven't had too much of pre-season but I've been training hard," Milner told the Seagulls' media team from the club's training camp in Spain.

"Nine months is a long time out so that takes time but I've been working hard over the summer and come back in the best possible shape I can.

"After all the things that happened in the last year or so, I'm feeling good to be fair.

"The early part of the rehab was to just get the knee moving again so I could do my knee rehab. We tried everything in the gym and hyperbaric chambers, hot coals, all different types of therapies.

"Sean Duggan the physio was incredible. It's not a common injury. At that time it was a difficult ask to come back and play but through the physio department and Sean's hard work - it was a long journey and a difficult one but the challenge of coming back from it at my age was what drove me on."

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Milner is now preparing for his 24th Premier League season and is 16 appearances away from breaking Gareth Barry's all-time record. The three-time Premier League winner never thought about giving up despite his lengthy spell on the sidelines.

"I wouldn't say there was dark times but there was frustrating times," he added.

"There was times where I'd get to five or six weeks constantly then needed a break for two or three days, just a change of scenery to regain the focus and the intensity.

"I wouldn't say I got too down about it. There is the determination to get back and try and contribute and help the manager and club move forward. I want to have a more positive season this time round."

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We asked for your views on who Brighton's nailed-on starters should be next season after boss Fabian Hurzeler explained "we have to make decisions about selling and loaning players".

You can read his comments below this post but here are some of your views on who will be a sure starter for the Seagulls:

Kynan: Nailed-on starters are Bart Verbruggen, Jan Paul van Hecke, Carlos Baleba, Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter. Everyone else is a rotation option with multiple players in each position.

Tony: Verbruggen, Van Hecke, Baleba, Mitoma, Minteh and Danny Welbeck. They will all start the first game. Every other place is up for grabs.

Fran: You have to start some of the new signings. Pointless paying money and not playing them. Verbruggen definitely. Not sure you can leave Van Hecke out - and then start Diego Coppola alongside him. Mitoma, Rutter, Yasin Ayari, Welbeck, Brajan Gruda and Baleba have to start. Players are not going to be happy not playing - especially Matt O'Riley, Mats Wieffer and Tom Watson, who will think it would have been better staying with Sunderland, where he would play regularly. I don't envy Hurzeler trying to select his team. One thing we need this season is a settled team selection.

Jonas: A 3-4-3 formation with Verbruggen in goal. This would suit the current players and manager. We should play with a back three of Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk and Olivier Boscagli; a midfield of Diego Gomez, Baleba, Ayari and Solly March; and three-pronged attack of Mitoma, Welbeck and Rutter.

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With so many incomings at Brighton already this summer, along with a number of players returning from loan spells, BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast team believes Fabian Hurzeler could have quite the "headache" when it comes to picking his starting XI for the new season.

There are still question marks over a few of the players' futures too, which adds to the difficulties in deciding who will be guaranteed a place come August.

In fact, after Wednesday's friendly win over Stoke in Spain, Hurzeler said: "The squad is quite big at the moment but I think they understand their roles. We are one step further than we were, and now we have to make decisions about selling and loaning players."

On this week's podcast, BBC Radio Sussex Brighton reporter Johnny Cantor named who he believes is mostly like to make the starting XI at the beginning of the season.

"I would probably say Bart Verbruggen. I would say initially Lewis Dunk because I think he will start. I won't necessarily say Pervis Estupinan as I'm not sure he will be there or not. I would say Carlos Baleba, Georginio Rutter, Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck.

"If they are all fit, and bearing in mind Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas are coming to a new club and environment, that's how I think the attacking end will look.

"I didn't say Jan Paul van Hecke - because that would mean neither of the two new defensive signings would play - and you have got Adam Webster and Igor Julio sitting on the bench or not involved at all as well. They won't have four centre-backs."

Former Albion forward Warren Aspinall added: "I will go with three or four - Mitoma, Verbruggen and Van Hecke. I'm not even putting Carlos Baleba in there."

So who do you think are Brighton's guaranteed choices? Do you agree with Johnny and Warren's, or are there other players who should be included?

Get in touch with your views here

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Fabian Hurzeler, speaking after Brighton's 3-1 pre-season victory over Stoke in Spain: "A win is always important in a test game or not. It gives the players self-confidence. I think we saw positives, negatives and things to improve.

"We had some new players on the pitch who adapted and understood our ideas quite quickly. They have big potential and they showed it here.

"[Compared to my first pre-season] we have better relationships, we have known each other a long time now. Overall, we are on a higher level but there are always things to improve.

"The squad is quite big at the moment but I think they understand their roles. We are one step further than we were, and now we have to make decisions about selling and loaning players.

"I really want to work with the players, no matter how many we have."

Manchester United have held talks with the camp of Brighton defender Pervis Estupinan before a potential transfer. (Mirror), external

Coventry City are interested in a deal for Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, with a potential move Scottish giants Rangers appearing to be off. (Coventry Telegraph), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Summer signing Diego Coppola was on target as Brighton beat Championship side Stoke City 3-1 in a friendly in Spain.

Defender Coppola, who joined Albion from Hellas Verona in June, headed in to restore his side's lead in the second half.

Earlier, Karou Mitoma's deflected effort had put Fabian Hurzeler's team ahead, before they were pegged back by a Lewis Baker penalty before the break.

Georginio Rutter completed the scoring late on.

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New Brighton left-back Maxim de Cuyper has "picked the right environment" by joining the Seagulls, says Belgium football podcaster Ben Jackson.

The 24-year-old joined earlier this month from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge for a reported £17.5m.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Jackson said: "I wouldn't say I was surprised he was going to the Premier League, but part of me was surprised he went to Brighton with some of the other clubs he was linked with.

"There was a lot of talk about Italian sides like AC Milan in Serie A, so it always felt like he would end up in Italy. But, when Brighton popped up from the Premier League I thought, 'yeah, that does kind of make sense'.

"There is the link between Brighton and another Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise anyway so it's not like they wouldn't have that understanding of who he is.

"For him, while he may sacrifice a bit European football, in the long run he should benefit more from this move than one of the Serie A giants.

"He is joining a side in Brighton where development is encouraged in the way they bring players through. I think he is ready and I think he has picked the right environment."

Full-back De Cuyper has spent his whole career in Belgium, but played in the Champions League for Brugge, including games against Aston Villa.

On where his best position is, Jackson explained: "As a left-back he is most comfortable, that is where he played in youth teams and Westerlo.

"It was tricky when he went to Club Brugge as they had just signed another young left-back and they were trying to fit them both in. They played De Cuyper at right-back and it didn't really work. They didn't get the best out of him and he looked really uncomfortable.

"He has played slightly further up on international duty, but you don't want him further up than left midfield.

"He is very creative, his assist numbers are good and he has got an eye for goal."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Brighton winger Yoon Do-young has joined Dutch top-flight side Excelsior Rotterdam on a season-long loan deal.

The South Korea Under-20 international signed a a five-year contract to join the Seagulls in March but was loaned back to Daejeon Hana Citizen for the remainder of the season before officially completing the move on 1 July.

Technical director David Weir said: "We planned for Yoon to spend his first season on loan, so we're pleased that he will get that opportunity in a top European league.

"The priority for him this season is to acclimatise to life in Europe – he is a young guy and we hope a positive settling in period can be the foundation to a really successful time here."

Yoon, 18, made 33 appearances for Daejeon Hana Citizen, scoring once and assisting four times.

The latest Albion Unlimited is here and on this week's show, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor is joined by former Brighton player Warren Aspinall as they assess the value of pre-season and upcoming friendlies.

The team will also be discussing which players could be heading through the Amex exit door and take a look at new left-back recruit Maxim De Cuyper.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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BBC Sport football news reporter Alex Howell has been answering your questions.

Chris asked: Are Brighton making a mistake if they sell Evan Ferguson or should they continue sending him on loan to other Premier League teams?

Alex replied: The worry from a fans' point of view is that they could have another Viktor Gyokeres on their hands. He didn't have the best time at the club and then left - and now he looks set to complete a big move to Arsenal.

Ferguson had an amazing start to senior football and looked to be a natural goalscorer. He has had injuries and then went on loan to West Ham, where he did not score a league goal.

It may be he just needs game time. Brighton very rarely get it wrong, but they have all of those things to decide on and that is without the player's own wishes too.

Read more of the Q&A with our football news reporting team here

Scottish Premiership side Rangers are working on a deal for Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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All 20 clubs earn a share of Premier League prize money. The amount each club receives depends on their league position and number of televised matches.

Prize money consists of UK and international merit broadcast payments, equal shares, commercial revenues and facility fees.

All clubs received a central commercial payment of £7.9m and equal shares from UK (£29.8m) and international (£59.2m) revenues.

Clubs are also paid a facility fee for matches broadcast on domestic TV. Liverpool had 30 of their 38 league matches televised - more than any other club.

1st: Liverpool - £174.9m

2nd: Arsenal - £171.5m

3rd: Manchester City - £165.5m

4th: Chelsea - £163.7m

5th: Newcastle United - £160.2m

6th: Aston Villa - £159.3m

7th: Nottingham Forest - £152.5m

8th: Brighton - £145.1m

9th: Bournemouth - £143.4m

10th: Brentford - £138.9m

11th: Fulham - £135.5m

12th: Crystal Palace - £136.1m

13th: Everton - £131.8m

14th: West Ham - £130.9m

15th: Manchester United - £136.2m

16th: Wolves - £123.1m

17th: Tottenham - £127.8m

18th: Leicester - £116.9m

19th: Ipswich Town - £111.1m

20th: Southampton - £109.2m

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.

Find out more over here

Brighton striker Evan Ferguson has agreed a move to Roma, with the Italian club now in discussions over a fee for the 20-year-old Republic of Ireland striker. (Gianluca di Marzio - in Italian, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has thanked winger Simon Adingra for his "significant contribution" after he joined Sunderland for an intial £21m.

The 23-year-old made 33 appearances for the Seagulls last season, including 29 in the Premier League.

In total, he featured 73 times for Albion, scoring 12 goals, after arriving from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland in June 2022.

"I have enjoyed working with Simon and he's made a significant contribution during his time with the club," said Hurzeler. "However, he is at a stage in his career where he wants to be playing regularly.

"Given the competition we have in the wide positions, that's not something we could guarantee.

"This move to Sunderland gives him that opportunity, so on behalf of everyone, I'd like to thank Simon for his efforts and wish him well for the future."

Brighton are open to loaning Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson to Roma but the club are yet to receive approval from the 20-year-old. (Calciomercato - in Italian, external)

Aston Villa are following highly rated Benin attacking midfielder Rodolfo Aloko, 18, from Croatian side NK Kustosija. (Mail, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport senior journalist

When Evan Ferguson terrorised Newcastle United on 2 September 2023, he became only the fourth player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick before turning 19.

The previous season, shortly after his 18th birthday, he had broken into the team and scored three times in his first five appearances.

The world was at his feet - and big clubs were circling.

Nearly two years on, and still only 20, his career has stalled to the point ex-Brighton forward Warren Aspinall says it is time to "sell him for whatever we get".

Clearly, his time on the pitch has been curtailed by injuries, so anything looking at his goal and assist output over the past season would probably be unfair.

For the record, though, six goals apiece in 2022-23 and 2023-24 were followed by just one last season.

However, as the graph above shows, both his passing and shooting accuracy also dropped off last season - not the sign of a player who is maturing but rather hinting at one that is regressing.

It could be argued his lack of minutes makes it harder for him to pick up the rhythm required to be in sync with his team-mates - but even in previous campaigns he was not starting every week under Roberto de Zerbi.

And after all, those who make a splash as a teenager do not necessarily cut loose in the water until later in their career. Everyone progresses differently.

For now, it looks more like that his rip-roaring start to life at Brighton established expectations that were unrealistic.

Aspinall reckons a change of scenery could unlock his ability.

If Brighton sell him, it will be someone else's opportunity to cash in on how that once frightening prospect ultimately turns out.