Despite Brighton’s busy summer where they spent over £200 million, they are still in need of a few new signings this January.
The Albion remain light at the back, with depth needed both centrally and out wide. Additionally, they require some firepower in attack whilst Danny Welbeck recovers from injury and Evan Ferguson gets back to his best form.
Let’s take a look at three players Fabian Hurzeler’s side should target during the winter window.
Embed from Getty ImagesDevyne Rensch (Ajax)
First up, Brighton need another right-back, Joel Veltman is excellent but often injured and Tariq Lamptey is inconsistent at the back.
A good target to solve that problem is Devyne Rensch, a pacey and well-rounded defender who can play anywhere across a back four.
Rensch would provide Brighton with some much needed speed in defence, but also help support attacks by making overlapping runs.
The 22-year-old is comfortable with the ball and links up play effectively, which suits Fabian Hurzeler’s dynamic approach down the flanks.
This season in the Eredivise, Rensch has averaged 6.05 progressive passes and 56.12 complete passes on a per 90 basis.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe has also registered the most successful long balls per 90, which would be perfect for the likes of Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh.
Defensively, Rensch ranks in the top 8% of full-backs in the Eredivise for percentage of dribblers tackled.
When he wins the ball back, the Dutchman quickly transitions and creates chances for his teammates. He ranks in the top 12% for shot creating actions from defensive actions per 90.
Liverpool and Tottenham are interested in the full back, but they will likely only push for his signature if Trent Alexander-Arnold or Pedro Porro leave. Therefore, Brighton should go for the young star valued at only £10 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Embed from Getty ImagesFacundo Medina (Lens)
Brighton already have one Facundo in their side, so why not buy another? Facundo Medina is an Argentine centre-back who the Albion have been linked with in previous years, but a deal never materialised.
This January though, Brighton should go for him. Medina is valued at £29 million by Lens, making him the most expensive player of the three, but it would be a worth while investment.
Medina’s strengths include ball carrying, technical ability and a good passing range. Pair this with his aggression out of possession and you have a solid defender with a similar profile to Igor Julio, but Medina is even better.
Embed from Getty ImagesMedina loves to travel with the ball, he ranks in the top 2% of Ligue 1 defenders for progressive carries per 90 and in the top 4% for carries into the final third per 90.
In the last 365 days, Medina has averaged the most shot creating actions per 90 for a centre-back in the world.
In possession, Medina is immense and it’s the same when the opposition have the ball.
In 14 league matches, he has won 76 duels and has not made a single defensive error. Brighton have lost games due to silly mistakes this season but Medina would guarantee more solidity.
Embed from Getty ImagesTolu Arokodare (Genk)
Finally, Brighton are desperate for an out and out striker. With Welbeck absent, Joao Pedro has been forced to replace him up top. However by doing that, Brighton lose all of their attacking fluidity.
To fix this issue, Brighton have to sign a clinical striker who can get the goals until Welbeck returns.
Genk’s Tolu Arokodare is a cheap option who could get the job done until the end of the season and potentially beyond. The Nigerian is valued at just £8.3 million, according to Transfermarkt.
At 6′ 6″, Arokodare is the perfect target man to get on the end of the plethora of crosses Brighton whip into the box each game.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis height and strength allows him to hold up the ball much like Welbeck did before laying a deft pass off to Pedro. Arokodare would also end Brighton’s set piece woes, this season he has won 69 aeriel duels, the most in the league for a striker.
Arokodare has scored 13 league goals this season and provided four assists.
Brighton are currently suffering in front of goal as players seem reluctant to have a shot on goal. With Arokodare in the side, that would not be an issue. This season, he has averaged 5.02 shots per 90.
Out of possession, Arokodare is a relentless presser. Last season he averaged over 18 pressures won per 90 in the Belgian top flight.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Isabelle Newnham
INMR FOOTBALL 
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