Report: Brighton set to hand new contract to talented youngster | OneFootball

Brighton Move to Secure Amario Cozier-Duberry Future After £5m Offer Rejected

Brighton are preparing a significant new contract for Amario Cozier-Duberry after a breakthrough year that has strengthened the club’s belief in his long-term value. According to Sports Boom, the Seagulls have already turned down a £5m approach from Anderlecht and are now focused on protecting one of their most promising young assets.

The 21-year-old winger is already under contract until June 2028, yet Brighton’s internal view appears clear. They see a player rising fast, attracting serious attention, and moving into a stage of his development where improved terms are warranted. The report states that Brighton have been “hugely impressed” by his progress and believe he has “all the attributes to become a first-team regular in the Premier League”.

Brighton contract plans show clear intent

This is a familiar pattern from Brighton, who have built an impressive record for identifying emerging talent, accelerating development and rewarding players at the right moment. In Cozier-Duberry’s case, the strategy looks especially deliberate. The club are “determined to fend off growing interest from clubs across Europe” and have “no intention of cashing in on one of their brightest young talents”.

Photo: IMAGO

That stance matters. A £5m offer from Anderlecht may have represented a quick profit for a player still waiting for a sustained Premier League opening, but Brighton’s judgement is that his upside is far greater. Rather than sell, they want to “build around” him, which says plenty about the esteem in which he is held behind the scenes.

Amario Cozier-Duberry loan path has delivered

The winger’s recent loans have played a central role in shaping that confidence. After gaining Championship experience at Blackburn, he then exploded in League One with Bolton Wanderers. He was described as one of the division’s standout players, having “scoring nine goals and supplying 13 assists in 37 league appearances as Bolton stormed their way back into the second tier”.

Those numbers have sharpened interest from multiple directions. Bolton are understood to want him back and “have already opened discussions with Brighton” over another temporary move. The article also notes that “talks already taking place between the two clubs”, with Brighton receptive if a deal guarantees regular football. That remains a key condition, because the next step must be competitive minutes, not a place on the fringes.

Bolton move could suit all parties

A return to Bolton would make football sense. Championship football would test Cozier-Duberry at a higher level while preserving continuity, responsibility and a role in which he can keep producing. Brighton seem to recognise that “another year of competitive action could be the perfect stepping stone” before he pushes for a place in Fabian Hurzeler’s senior squad.

For now, the central point is straightforward. Brighton are acting early, and with conviction, over a player they believe is “only scratching the surface of his enormous potential”. Rejecting £5m and moving towards a fresh long-term agreement sends a strong signal to suitors and to the player himself.

Our View

As a Brighton supporter, this is exactly the kind of update you want to hear. The club have earned trust in the way they handle young players, and this feels like another smart piece of planning. Turning down £5m for Amario Cozier-Duberry looks fully justified when you consider his trajectory, his output at Bolton and the belief Brighton clearly have in him.

What stands out most is the phrase “build around” him. Supporters always get excited when the club’s recruitment and development model identifies someone who can genuinely become part of the first-team picture, and this report suggests Cozier-Duberry is moving firmly into that bracket. He has pace, end product and the sort of profile that can thrive in Brighton’s attacking structure.

Another loan would be easy to understand, especially if it is with Bolton in the Championship. Regular starts, real pressure, and a chance to prove he can influence games one level higher would probably do more for his long-term Brighton future than occasional substitute appearances in the Premier League. If he shines there, he returns with momentum and a stronger claim.

From a fan perspective, this feels encouraging on every level. Brighton have rejected the first offer, moved to reward the player, and kept control of the next stage. That is good squad management and a positive message about ambition. Supporters should be pleased that the club are treating Cozier-Duberry as a serious long-term prospect, not a quick sale.