Latest developments
- Brighton & Hove Albion want to sign PAOK striker Stefanos Tzimas.
- The Seagulls are bidding £20m to see off Chelsea and Liverpool.
- Tzimas has shot to fame on loan at FC Nuremberg this season.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3/5): Trusted transfer reporter
Chelsea and Liverpool were battling for him, but Brighton are the new favourites to sign striker Stefanos Tzimas from PAOK.
This news comes from Pete O'Rourke, one of the UK's most-respected transfer journalists, speaking to footballinsider247.com.
Value (2/5): Seagulls overspending?
With Tzimas' market value at £8.45 million, bidding £20 million seems a bit steep from Brighton, even if it will help fend off their Premier League rivals.
The Seagulls know a lot about signing unknown gems, however. Thus, if they think the 19-year-old is worth that much, then there's a good chance he is.
Suitability (2/5): Untested at top level
On loan at Nuremberg this season, Tzimas' profile has been raised by nine goals in just 15 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga.
With only 30 PAOK appearances to his name, he has yet to come close to proving himself at the top level. Granted, Brighton have recent form for turning obscure talents into world-class ones, but not everyone can be the next Moises Caicedo or Alexis Mac Allister.
Upgrade? (2.5/5): Future prospect
Despite spending a fair amount of his prime years on the treatment table, Danny Welbeck is still defying the odds and scoring in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Georginio Rutter has forced Evan Ferguson to look at options away from Brighton.
That represents significant competition for Tzimas, who would be a rotation option at least until Welbeck faded beyond top-flight suitability or moved on.
Logic (3.5/5): A clear path ahead?
Seeing how a move to Brighton has worked out well for many players of his level will be attractive to Tzimas, and the path to first-team football may be clearer than at Chelsea or Liverpool.
Brighton are throwing a lot of money around, relatively speaking. But if their data-driven model continues to produce more triumphs than flops, then there would be real logic behind a move for Tzimas.
Whisper+ verdict: 13/25
Not a very high score, but reputable reporting and “big six” interest mean it cannot be discounted. After all, if there is a recruitment department that can defy the Whisper+ odds, it's Brighton.
