Brighton and Hove Albion are closing in on a move for Mainz winger Brajan Gruda.
The Germany Under-21 international enjoyed his breakout at Mainz this past season, contributing four goals and three assists in 28 Bundesliga games. His form played a crucial role in helping the club maintain their top-flight status despite looking doomed for relegation at the beginning of 2024.
The 20-year-old’s performances saw him being called up to the Germany squad for the Euro 2024, but unfortunately, he couldn’t make it due to injury. However, those displays for Mainz last season have been enough from Brajan Gruda to catch the eye of several clubs across Europe. He was heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich earlier this summer, but new Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler appears to have reportedly convinced the talented German to make the move to the Amex Stadium.
Nonetheless, work still needs to be done for the £25m deal to go through but there is optimism Sussex-based club that the transfer will be completed and Gruda will become a part of Fabian Hurzeler’s squad.
Brighton keen on multiple Bundesliga-winning defender Mats Hummels
Fabian Hurzeler, the new Brighton boss, will be keen to make a huge impression in England after arriving from St Pauli, where he guided the club to promotion to the Bundesliga last season. He faces a tough task of succeeding Roberto de Zerbi at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls have continued their policy of signing hidden talents from clubs across Europe to groom them and sell them at a higher price. However, they are looking to take a different route in the transfer market and trying to bring in former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich defender Mats Hummels to the club.
Mats Hummels, 35, helped Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League final in May, but he ended up on the losing side against Real Madrid. The 2014 World Cup winner left Dortmund at the end of the 2023/24 season upon the expiry of his contract, and naturally given his winning mentality, European pedigree and leadership skills, he is a hugely coveted commodity as a free agent.
Hurzeler has links with Hummels’ family for a long time and is trying to use that relationship to lure the multiple Bundesliga title winners to the South Coast. If Brighton can sign the 78-cap German defender on a free transfer, it would represent a coup of sorts.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
