Latest developments
- Brighton want to sign PAOK striker Stefanos Tzimas.
- The teenager is on loan to FC Nuremburg.
- Tottenham and Aston Villa have been chasing the Greek forward.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3.5/5): Top German source
Brighton & Hove Albion are looking to secure a summer deal for striker Stefanos Tzimas, who is starring on loan at Nuremburg, on loan from PAOK, and has caught the eyes of Tottenham and Aston Villa.
This news is per Florian Plettenburg, one of the leading reporters on transfer matters pertaining to German clubs.
Value (2.5/5): One fee after another
2. Bundesliga club Nuremburg have got 10 goals in 16 league games out of the 19-year-old, and are intending to activate a £15 million option to buy, before selling him to Brighton for £20.9 million.
The Seagulls will therefore be paying 2.5 times the market value (£8.36 million) for a player yet to play top flight football, other than 17 Greek Super League appearances.
Suitability (3.5/5): A new Ferguson?
At 1.86m, Tzimas is a tall centre-forward who has pace and great technical abilities, in the same mold as Evan Ferguson, who is subject of a move away from the Amex.
Tzimas is untested at the top, but so are the vast majority of the other signings Brighton make as part of their impressive recruitment system, which the Greek under-21 international fits.
Upgrade? (3/5): Strong competition
Danny Welbeck is enjoying a positive autumn of his career, while Joao Pedro and Georginio Rutter are also competing for the centre-forward role in Fabian Hurzeler's team.
Tzimas benefits from being able to add a different dimension to the Seagulls' game, but he will likely have to be patient for his chance.
Logic (4/5): Looks PL ready
A Premier League move will be a big leap, but Tzimas has the attributes to succeed, especially at a club which is renowned for bringing in unknown talent and improving them.
It's not the cheapest deal, but the summer move gives Brighton the option to monitor him and set up a new loan should they deem him not quite ready come August.
Whisper+ verdict: 16.5/25
Not the best rating, but this is certainly in Brighton's wheelhouse, and Plettenburg knows his stuff.
