Brighton & Hove Albion

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex Brighton reporter

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It's been widely reported that this [club record £20m] bid has come in for Carl Rushworth. Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as being renowned tough negotiators, certainly don't ever comment on anybody going in or out of the club. They are very, very tight-lipped.

We can probably assume that this has happened. One thing that they do do is make sure that the price is right and they never, ever stand in the way of a player who wants to leave.

We have seen this with high-profile players like Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro and Alexis Mac Allister. So if there was a player who wants to go, the key phrase is if the price is right, then they don't stand in their way. So I think that would be a cause for some sort of optimism for Coventry City fans going forward.

It's important to remember that he has never actually played for Brighton & Hove Albion, they have sent him out on various different loans which is quite common for Brighton.

He's been very, very good on all of them - and of course City fans will know all about that as well. But he has probably never played under [Brighton boss] Fabian Hurzeler so whether he stands in his ideas as a goalkeeper going forward - because they are quite well stacked at the moment - I'd say that probably isn't the case.

I think £20m is a fair price, he's obviously young [24], he's got international experience with the England Under 21s. He is known as a very good all-rounder. When I speak to the squad members and the coaching staff, they feel that he has got all the assets. He's not exceptional at anything but he is very, very good at everything.

He's highly prized. My gut feeling is that he doesn't necessarily feature in Brighton's long-term plans. That £20m figure, they will probably try and eek out a little bit more but if Coventry feel that he is essential for their Premier League season then I think it probably would happen. Brighton won't stand in his way and I think they would want him to progress as well.

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The countdown to the World Cup is well and truly on, so here's a reminder of the Seagulls selected to represent their countries from 11 June to 19 July.

The expanded 48-team competition is set to be the biggest in history, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting.

Brighton's World Cup contingent:

• Yasin Ayari (Sweden)

• Maxim de Cuyper (Belgium)

• Diego Gomez (Paraguay)

• Pascal Gross (Germany)

• Ferdi Kadioglu (Turkey)

• Jan Paul van Hecke (Netherlands)

• Bart Verbruggen (Netherlands)

• Mats Wieffer (Netherlands)

Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

Read more about the World Cup squads in numbers

Find out more about how to follow the competition on the BBC

Click here to download your World Cup 2026 wallchart

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Brighton's first signing of the summer Zadok Yohanna says he will "give everything" for the team and wants to win trophies with the club.

The Seagulls have agreed a £21.5m deal with AIK Stockholm to bring the 18-year-old winger to the Amex when the transfer window opens on 15 June.

The Nigerian forward said he is "really happy because I know where I came from and I want to make my family proud".

Yohanna told Brighton's official website: "I will give everything I have for the team and I really want to win trophies.

"I watch the Premier League a lot and I know the teams use young players and Brighton is one of them. They are very good at developing young players."

Brighton have rejected a second bid from Tottenham for centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke. (Talksport), external

Coventry City have submitted a club record £20m bid for Brighton keeper Carl Rushworth, who helped the Sky Blues win the Championship while on loan there last season. (Talksport), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your views on what one thing needs to change at Brighton before the new campaign and why.

Here are some of your comments:

Ken: Bigger, more easily visible screens in the stadium.

Julian: I repeatedly read about lots of unconverted goalscoring opportunities so that suggests we need finishers - strikers/scorers. Danny Welbeck put in a decent shift but there were ups and downs and maybe there's a Joao Pedro-shaped hole still?

Alexander: I personally think we are doing well. We need to buy a few players to give us depth. Somebody like Summerville would give us enough depth to juggle all competitions.

Matthew: Unfortunately for Brighton, they are victims of their own success. Not only have they been plundered of their resources across the board but their biggest rivals have gone and won two trophies in the space of a year. That places a massive amount of expectation on the club from fans to match them, but the club just aren't set up to win. They are still a development centre for the elite. There is a sense that this identity is being challenged now as demand for a trophy increases. Do they stick or twist? Do they need to look at how they recruit, develop and retain players and staff? The cracks are showing. Some big decisions to be made this summer. Bloom cannot be called into question for his commitment to the club but perhaps he should consider a change of leadership, one more intent on establishing a reputation than preserving one.

Alex D: The spine of the team is geriatric. With Milner retired, and Dunk, Gross, and Welbeck all 34+, replacements need to be lined up there, particularly midfield, which currently is very lightweight.

Jake: If we're talking players, a right-back (ideally two). If we're talking squad, change the loan strategy and commit to a year of providing regular football across four competitions for the multitude of potentials we have. Otherwise, maybe a little less entitlement from the fans. Hurzeler has delivered two of the three highest points totals we've had in the Premier League and secured a second season in Europe.

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Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

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Former Brighton midfielder Gary Dicker says the club are "well equipped" to "attack" European football next season.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor about the Seagulls qualifying for a second season in Europe, Dicker said: "It's been a good season in general. You are going to get patches in the season in general where you are going to struggle. It's a hard, hard league. They've done well getting into Europe, they were so unlucky in the last game of the season. If they didn't play Manchester United, in form, new manager, everything kind of aligned for them a bit. The first goal was massive that day."

Dicker, who is now assistant coach for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC, added: "It's been great to see from afar. I was working at the club during the Europa League stage and saw the buzz it brings about playing different opponents. It's the main thing for the fans to get an away trip. When you've travelled to Gillingham to watch Brighton and then they are in the Europa Conference and you see the English teams who have done well in it over the years, there's no reason why they can't go and attack it and you never know, they could be in a final this time next year.

"I think the players that they have now are exposed to playing in big games all the time for club or country. They will have learnt off the pitch but on the pitch they are well equipped for it."

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AIK Stockholm say they are in talks to sell 18-year-old Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna, who has been linked with Brighton, Chelsea and Newcastle United. (Northern Echo), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

With all 48 World Cup squads now confirmed, we look at how they shape up and compare with each other leading into the tournament.

Which clubs have the most players?

Looking just at the 20 clubs that made up the 2025-26 Premier League, only this season's top three have more players at the World Cup than Conference League winners Crystal Palace (12).

Including players out on loan over the season, Sunderland remarkably have as many representatives on the global stage as Chelsea and Liverpool (11), showing just how globe-trotting their recruitment was following promotion last summer.

The majority of Brentford, Everton and Leeds' squads can put their feet up and recharge their batteries for next season, with those clubs sending just four players each.

• Get more key stats on participation

The 2026-27 Premier League season will be here before we know it, with the first matches taking place on Saturday, 22 August.

We have a simple question for you - what one thing needs to change at your club before the new campaign and why?

It can be a player, manager, ticketing issue, owner, or wider change.

Let us know in detail here

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex Brighton reporter

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It was set to be a big few months for Brighton's sporting director Jason Ayto.

The 41-year-old was set to oversee his first summer transfer window. The club rarely do major business in January, resolute in their belief there is more value in the market after June.

Therefore, a fair few eyebrows were raised as his departure was announced on Wednesday, just nine months after his arrival. It is understood the separation was amicable, with technical director Mike Cave providing vital continuity as he takes on the role.

Brighton place a huge emphasis on data and their success is well-documented, but Ayto's previous focus, including over a decade at Arsenal, relied more on other aspects.

The timing of the decision makes sense for both Ayto and Brighton. He can pursue other options and the Albion can focus on the start of the transfer window (15 June).

The role was new to a club that has finished in the top half of the Premier League table in four of the past five seasons. The demands on running Brighton in the top flight continue to grow.

The Seagulls also have an ambitious, young head coach in Fabian Hurzeler, who stated on his arrival that he wanted to "challenge the establishment". He embarks on a second campaign in Europe with the club still finding its way among the elite.

Brighton are never reactive, but are always decisive.

One thing is for sure, owner Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber (who deals with outgoing transfer business) will aim to support Cave and Hurzeler across a key period and leading into a year where the club is aiming to celebrate its 125th anniversary with silverware.

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We asked for your views after Brighton announced that sporting director Jason Ayto has left the club with immediate effect and whether it is a concern heading into the summer.

Here are some of your comments:

Olly: Obviously, for whatever reason, it has not worked out and better to make any changes at the beginning of the close season rather than at the start of a new campaign.

Luke: This is a worrying development. He was meant to be building our brilliant squad for next season in this window. Guess he is off somewhere else! Really frustrating.

Tim: Less than a year. Perhaps he wasn't bringing the right food to the table.

Barry: Begs the question why Brighton cannot retain players, nor staff. Is the problem internal? Players, staff and owners come and go, but supporters are lifelong.

Annette: It is a worry. Does Paul Barber think he can get things done in his way, rather than listen to reason? If things were right, we would still have Roberto de Zerbi.

Chris: Bad timing on the eve of a crucial summer transfer window. Our recruitment hasn't been great in the past four transfer windows and it's vital it improves this summer. Not sure how this departure helps.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Brighton have confirmed sporting director Jason Ayto has left the club with immediate effect.

Ayto joined the Seagulls in September 2025 as their first sporting director, having worked at Arsenal for more than a decade in a variety of technical roles.

On his exit, in a statement chairman Tony Bloom said: "I'd like to thank Jason for everything he has done for us, and to wish him well for the future."

Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber added: "Jason has been a valued team colleague on our strategic leadership group.

"I'd like to thank him for his contribution since he joined the club and wish him all the best going forward."

Technical director Mike Cave will now oversee all sporting areas of the club, working with the existing senior team and reporting to Barber.

It is rare for Brighton to get a major recruitment decision wrong but it would appear owner Tony Bloom has decided it was better for Jason Ayto to leave immediately, after just nine months in the role of sporting director, rather than limp into the summer transfer window knowing the appointment just has not worked out as intended.

The Seagulls believe that as most of the work around analysis, planning and scouting - the areas club sources say were the main aspects of Ayto's role - have been done, the 41-year-old should be released to increase his chances of getting alternative employment.

The precise reasons for the decision are not being made clear, beyond there being a number of them.

What is being stressed is the "complete confidence" in the rejigged structure to deliver the squad head coach Fabian Hurzeler needs for a campaign which, for only the second time in the club's history, will include European competition, with Brighton expected to challenge strongly to win the Uefa Conference League.

The work remaining in Ayto's main areas will be done by the south coast club's current recruitment team.

Technical director Mike Cave will lead on incoming transfers, with chief executive Paul Barber looking after significant sales, to uphold Brighton's reputation as tough negotiators, if clubs come in for the likes of Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba.

Both men have vast experience in recruitment and know Brighton's 'model' intimately.

While Cave, who joined the club in November 2022, reports directly to Barber, will prioritise this summer's window, he will also be across Brighton's longer term plans.

How do you feel about the unexpected exit? Is it a concern heading into the summer? And what do you make of another reshuffle in your club's hierarchy?

Let us know here

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Former Brighton forward Anthony Knockaert says leaving the club may be "the biggest regret" he has in his career.

Knockaert left for Fulham in 2020 after a successful spell with the Seagulls.

Speaking to Albion Unlimited he said: "The best part of my career, I played four years here and four years I was really successful. Maybe the biggest regret I have in my career is I left this club."

Watch Knockaert discuss his view, external

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Following the news that highly-decorated 40-year-old midfielder James Milner announced his retirement from playing on Monday, Warren Aspinall reflected on his career with BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor.

The Seagulls finished 11th and eighth on two occasions while Milner was at the club, qualifying for Europe for next term which they will secure fully if they progress through Conference League qualifiers.

Aspinall added: "You can say how fit he was and how he looked after himself but he still picked up little niggles. That's probably your body telling you enough is enough. Probably the family as well, his wife has put up with quite a lot and the children moving here and there, they've sacrificed a lot so I think it's time for him to sacrifice a bit for his family as well and be with them.

"We don't know what the next step for him is, probably in coaching somewhere along the line. He was always pushing himself and if he's pushing himself to the limits, he's asking his team-mates to do that and that's what he is.

"A model professional, teetotal and he has given everything up, more or less to have 24 years in the top flight."

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Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

In the latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Johnny Cantor assesses the potential impact caused by the departures of Solly March, Adam Webster and James Milner.

Also, former Brighton midfielder Gary Dicker joins from the United States to talk about the players heading to the World Cup, and Seagulls defender Maxim de Cuyper shares his hopes for Belgium.

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In a new BBC Sport documentary, James Milner reflects on a career that has ended at 40, after making a record 658 Premier League appearances with six different clubs.

Team-mates and coaches reveal the drive behind 24 years at the top.

Watch below or on BBC iPlayer here

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber says James Milner was welcome to stay at the club for a further year.

Barber says Milner's attitude both on and off the pitch makes him a "remarkable person".

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Watch - 'Unbreakable' - a special iPlayer documentary on Milner

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We asked for your thoughts on James Milner's time at Amex Stadium, after the 40-year-old announced his retirement from playing on Monday.

Here are some of your replies:

David: What can I say other than he is a consummate professional. He brought massive experience, superb fitness and great input to our team's cohesion. I was hoping he would stay on for another season to help with the next European adventure. I sincerely hope he will still be around in some capacity at the club. Thank you for everything.

Nigel: A huge thank you for sharing your vast experience with the players of Brighton, James Milner. You were always exciting when you came on the pitch. Have a long and happy retirement.

Graham: He was always a 7 out of 10 player, every time he played at least. He gave his all, he was very committed in tackles and he played hard but fair. He gained respect based on how he conducted himself, on and off the pitch, and he had a great footballing brain which enabled him to be successful throughout his career. He added to Brighton's solid midfield and made a good contribution to Brighton's success during the past three years.

Joe: Look, his longevity has to be admired, and of course he is revered by Liverpool and Leeds fans where his contributions were huge, but let's not kid ourselves on what this past season was: a vanity project to get him to the Premier League appearance record, mainly via two-minute 'appearances'. Once that was done, it was obvious he would retire. He had a few semi-decent games for us, but he was often poor too.

Liam: As fans, we have to take the word of insiders to know what impact a player has beyond the pitch. I'm not sure insiders have spoken more highly of any other player in many years at Brighton. The modern Premier League is so physically demanding that it was extraordinary to see James Milner compete as he did in his final season. Focus, drive, standards, expectations and energy were evident in spades. His restoration to the team resulted in a return to winning ways - it clearly wasn't a coincidence. Thanks, James.