Brighton and Hove Albion have agreed a deal up to £17 million for Nordsjaelland winger Ibrahim Osman after talks with Premier League rivals West Ham United broke down during the January transfer window.
HITC Football understands that Brighton – a club famed for their ability to unearth diamonds in the rough – are closing in on another gem of a player. Ibrahim Osman has agreed terms in principle with Roberto de Zerbi’s side, and will move to The Amex in the summer for a fee of up to £17 million.
Brighton’s gain could be West Ham’s loss, too.
West Ham target Ibrahim Osman set for Brighton
The Hammers held discussions of their own before the window closed last week, talks between Nordsjaelland and David Moyes’ Europa Conference League winners breaking down late in the window.
19-year-old Osman is now expected to join Brighton instead, even though West Ham’s interest remains alive.
Like Mohamed Kudus, Osman moved to Denmark after graduating from Ghana’s Right to Dream academy. The talented left winger has four goals and five assists to show for his efforts this term, and may have been tasked with replacing Said Benrahma had he moved to the English capital before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Benrahma joined Lyon in a £15 million loan-to-buy deal after a dramatic deadline-day conclusion.
Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals leave
“Just so happens that the offers we got were for the two players, and the two players wanted to go badly,” Moyes said after West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, Pablo Fornals following Benrahma out the door when joining Real Betis.
“And because of that you get to a point as a manager and as a football club where you’re going to say; ‘do we keep them just (for the sake of it)?’
“And both players, you have to say, haven’t had many minutes for the team. So, it’s in part about trying to do the correct thing for the players as well. But also if the players are saying they don’t want to stay and they want to go, then it’s very hard to say no.”
