Brighton in talks to sign World Cup winner in Deadline Day shock: report

Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler
Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler (Image credit: Getty Images)

Brighton and Hove Albion have re-entered the race to sign a 35-year-old World Cup winner.

Fabian Hurzeler's side failed in their pursuit of PSV defender Olivier Boscagli and are still keen on bringing an experienced centre-back to the club. Mats Wieffer, Yankuba Minteh and Georginio Rutter are just three of the nine summer arrivals at the Amex, with nearly £200million ($263.2m) having been spent by the Seagulls.

But it appears as if Brighton are not done yet, with bolstering their defensive line remaining a continuing priority. As the hours tick down towards Friday's deadline, it appears as if Albion could be about to make a whopping tenth addition.

WATCH | Why Valentin Barco Is Brighton's Next £100m Player

According to the latest reports from Express Sport, Mats Hummels could still make a late move to the Premier League, with his proposed transfer to Roma stalling. The former Borussia Dortmund man is still a free agent and has also been linked with a move to Real Sociedad.

Having made a total of 508 for the German giants, Hummels left the club this summer after losing the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid. He won the Bundesliga on three occasions and has been a solid part of Germany's defence at international level ever since he made his debut in 2010.

Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund looks on as he lines up with teammates prior to the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Final match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid CF at Wembley Stadium on June 01, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Mats Hummels is still without a club after leaving Borussia Dortmund (Image credit: Getty Images)

“There are 3 options: BVB, retirement or another club," said Hummels when quizzed on his future back in May. “Retirement is currently the least likely option USA are out of the question for me. If I move, I would stay in Europe for sure."

Transfermarkt values the defender at just €5million (£4.2million) and FourFourTwo admits signing Hummels would be a huge coup for Brighton and Hove Albion. Having been named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season seven times, his experience speaks for itself.

More Brighton and Hove Albion stories

Brighton squad for 2024/25: Fabian Hurzeler's full team for the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup

Kieran McKenna
set to sign new Ipswich Town deal despite Manchester United and Brighton links

Brighton Hove Albion's
latest 'great prospect’ has been hailed by countryman Sebastian Bassong

Matthew Holt

Matthew is a Freelance Journalist and has racked up bylines for Manchester United, Manchester Evening News, GOAL and SPORTbible to name a few. A long-term sufferer of Scunthorpe United, he currently resides in the north-west after escaping the smog of North Lincolnshire.

Read more
Brighton squad for 2024/25 LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Fabian Hurzeler the head coach of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Goodison Park on August 17, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea among top European clubs soon to be THWARTED in pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion star: report
Enzo Maresca could be preparing to say goodbye to one forward this month
Chelsea ponder yet another Brighton swoop in latest attempt to fix problem position: report
Randal Kolo Muani of Paris Saint-Germain runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid at Parc des Princes on November 06, 2024 in Paris, France.
January transfer window: One player every Premier League club could sign this month
Dean Huijsen of AFC Bournemouth scores the opening goal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Vitality Stadium on December 05, 2024 in Bournemouth, England
Bournemouth star wanted by Real Madrid in statement summer deal: report
Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven during the pre-season friendly match against Bayern Munich, August 2024
Tottenham looking to upgrade on Micky van de Ven, with star's future in question: report
Xabi Alonso is the bookmakers favourite to take over at the Bernabeu this summer
Real Madrid targeting Bournemouth star to become standout summer buy: report
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed