Brighton are set to break their transfer record for the third time this summer after agreeing a £13.5m fee with Club Brugge for the Colombia winger José Izquierdo.
Having seen deals for the goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and the Holland midfielder Davy Pröpper surpass their transfer record since achieving promotion to the Premier League, the move for the 25-year-old means Chris Hughton’s side have set another new mark. The move for Izquierdo, who has spent three seasons in Belgium since joining from the Colombian side Once Caldas, is subject to a medical and obtaining a work permit for a player who made his international debut against Cameroon earlier this year.
“José is someone we have been aware of for sometime and has been one of the standout players in the Belgian league over the past three years,” Hughton said.
“He’s been an exciting player for Club Brugge and in the season he helped the club win the title in 2015-16, he was also Belgium’s player of the year. José has good experience with almost 250 senior games in both Colombia and Belgium, and has played in the Europa League, Champions League and international football, having made his debut for his national team this summer.”
Brighton have also announced the signing of the winger Soufyan Ahannach from the Dutch second division side Almere City. The 21-year-old Dutchman has signed a three-year deal after completing his move for an undisclosed fee.
Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of Timothy Fosu-Mensah on a season-long loan from Manchester United. The 19-year-old defender will link up Frank de Boer, his former manager at Ajax.
Middlesbrough have sold the midfielder Marten de Roon to Atalanta for £12m. The 26-year-old Dutchman joined Boro from the Italian side last summer. Boro have spent heavily during the summer with the £15m striker Britt Assombalonga heading a list of incomers which also includes Darren Randolph, Ashley Fletcher, Martin Braithwaite, Cyrus Christie and Jonny Howson.
They have recouped in the region of £10m for Gastón Ramírez following his move to Sampdoria, while Viktor Fischer, Cristhian Stuani, Brad Guzan, James Husband and Alex Baptiste have also left.
There is also interest in the England defender Ben Gibson with West Brom having shown their hand, although Garry Monk has repeatedly stressed Boro are under no pressure to sell their prize asset.
