‘Brighton fending off Barcelona pursuit of Bart Verbruggen’ after contact made
Brighton achieved a respectable eighth-place finish this term in Fabian Hurzeler’s first season in charge at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls invested heavily last summer (2024) and could have fought for a place in the Champions League – if not for six dropped points at home against all three relegated sides.
Bart Verbruggen proved to be one of the club’s star men, stepping up to become the first-choice goalkeeper after rotating with Jason Steele in the previous campaign.
The Netherlands international, who has already racked up 20 caps despite being just 22, kept seven clean sheets in 36 Premier League games in the 2024-25 campaign.
Verbruggen is now reportedly attracting interest from European giants Barcelona ahead of the summer window.
Barcelona launch Verbruggen enquiry at Brighton
According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna (27 May), Barca have “asked for deal conditions” from Brighton as they eye up a move for Verbruggen.
The Catalan giants are reportedly “looking to the future” with doubts over the form of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and the longevity of Wojciech Szczesny.
Verbruggen signed for Brighton from Belgian giants Anderlecht in 2023 for a fee of just over £16million.
| Appearances | 40 |
| Minutes Played | 3660 |
| Goals Conceded | 60 |
| Clean Sheets | 9 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 |
The shot-stopper has also been linked with Chelsea and Man United after his impressive early years in the Premier League.
He is under contract at the Amex Stadium until June 2028.
Brighton to resist Verbruggen advances
Football Insider Verdict
It is easy to see Barcelona’s reasons for wanting to bring Verbruggen to Catalonia, with the goalkeeper just 22 and already boasting years of top-flight and international experience.
It is not quite as easy to see why Brighton would allow him to leave with three years left of his contract for anything other than a huge fee.
Barcelona may have won La Liga this term but their financial situation is still rocky with the club’s new stadium not yet open.
Brighton have a history of driving a hard bargain and will be holding out for maximum value, which could come when a Premier League giant like Chelsea and Man United are looking to refresh their shot-stopping options.
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