Alious
Tensions between Brighton and former boss Graham Potter are flaring up once again—this time in the transfer market. In what’s shaping up to be a ruthless off-field battle, Brighton are reportedly preparing to deliver a major blow to Potter’s plans at West Ham by snatching a key striker target right from under his nose—and with an unexpected assist from Chelsea.
Potter’s return to the Amex as West Ham manager was met with venom from both home and away fans, a reflection of lingering resentment over his controversial 2022 departure from Brighton to Chelsea. That exit saw not only Potter leave but also much of his backroom staff and several players, sparking lasting animosity, especially from Brighton owner Tony Bloom.
Now, the Seagulls appear ready to settle the score. With both West Ham and Chelsea hunting for attacking reinforcements this summer, a dramatic three-way transfer twist is emerging. West Ham had reportedly been eyeing Nice striker **Evann Guessand**, identified by recruitment chief Kyle Macaulay—another ex-Brighton and Chelsea figure—as a perfect fit for the Premier League.
However, Brighton have now entered the race and are trying to hijack the deal. With Chelsea poised to land Brighton’s star striker **Joao Pedro**, the Seagulls are keen on replacing him with none other than Guessand—the very forward West Ham had earmarked for their frontline.
To make matters worse for Potter, Chelsea have already outflanked the Hammers by securing **Emanuel Emegha**, another key striker West Ham had been pursuing. But in a frustrating twist, Chelsea are planning to leave the 21-year-old on loan at their affiliate club Strasbourg instead of using him next season, meaning Potter loses a target he desperately needed—without Chelsea even deploying the player themselves.
As for Guessand, Brighton’s data-led approach, backed by Bloom’s analytics-driven scouting system, has identified the Ivorian forward as a perfect successor to Pedro. At a reported £20 million, he’s also financially viable for Brighton, while cash-strapped West Ham may struggle to make any immediate moves until they offload players to free up funds.
With the summer transfer window set to open, Brighton’s timely move could not only fortify their squad but also deliver a psychological hammer blow to Potter and West Ham’s recruitment strategy—further fanning the flames of one of football’s most quietly intense grudges.
Alious
