Graham Potter explains appeal as Brighton make first summer signing
Brighton have announced the signing of RB Salzburg midfielder Enock Mwepu for an undisclosed fee.
Mwepu, 23, is the south-coast club’s first signing of the summer. The Zambia international has signed a four-year deal with the Seagulls. Throughout his career he has mostly operated as a central midfielder. He did spend the majority of last season out on the right flank, though.
He made 119 appearances across all competitions for Salzburg after joining them in 2018. During this time he scored 18 times and registered 20 assists.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Brighton manager Graham Potter said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome Enock to the club and are looking forward to working with him.
“He has a great deal of experience for somebody of his age, including Champions League and international football.
“He’s primarily a central midfielder, although he is capable of playing in numerous positions, is open-minded, adaptable and very keen to learn and develop.
“He will add competition to our existing options in that area of the squad going into the new season.”
Mwepu’s aforementioned experience is notable. He started twice against both Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid last season.
The signing could be a wise move by Brighton, who might lose standout man Yves Bissouma this transfer window.
Bissouma’s assured performances in the middle of the park last season have put him on the wishlist of a number of clubs near the top of the Premier League pyramid.
Leicester are eyeing him as a like-for-like replacement if they were to lose Wilfred Ndidi to a side higher up the footballing food chain.
Liverpool are another who have been named as admirers. They have already lost a key midfield man in Georginio Wijnaldum this summer.
But it is Arsenal who have been linked most strongly with the Malian. Mikel Arteta is insistent he wants Bissouma to join the club as part of his rebuilding project.
As it stands, Bissouma will be a Brighton player next season. However, if they were to lose him in the coming months at a time when a replacement would be hard to find, then they now have Mwepu to rely on.
Mwepu’s new teammate set for big money move
Not only have Arsenal been targeting Bissouma, but they have also been heavily pursuing his teammate Ben White.
The Gunners are already believed to have tabled bids in the regions of £40m and £45m for White, who is currently on international duty with Euro 2020 semi-finalists England.
However, they face strong competition from Premier League rivals to get their man.
And now it looks like one of these rivals may beat them to White’s signature, which could force the north London club into Plan B…
READ MORE: Arteta calls in Guardiola favour amid Arsenal link for Man City man
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