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With pre-season officially in full swing, we asked you to tell us what you're looking forward to about club football returning.

Here are some of your replies:

Jack: I can't wait to see Brighton play in Europe and go to away games at Portman Road and Stamford Bridge. I also can't wait to see all of our new signings play, especially Luka Vuskovic.

Phil: A pie and a pint at Amex Stadium.

Nigel: I'm looking forward to seeing the new group of talented players integrating with our wonderful squad, under the guidance of our mighty German boss and his team of coaches.

Sean: Looking forward to this season with real optimism that we will finally win a trophy, either in Europe or domestically.

Flo: I am looking forward to club football this season because there are three new teams in the league. Two look very strong. I also need a break from this World Cup, which has been tedious for me and all the England fans.

Newcastle are in talks over Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, 25, and with fellow Englishman James Trafford, Manchester City's 23-year-old goalkeeper. (Mail - requires subscription), external

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The World Cup has done a fantastic job of filling the Premier League void, but there is nothing quite like club football.

As the tournament in North America heads towards its climax and England supporters' disappointment sinks in, there is an Arsenal fanbase waiting for the 2026-27 season with anticipation.

So, it has got us thinking: what are you looking forward to most about club football resuming?

Get in touch here

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Brighton defender Diego Coppola has joined Paris FC on a permanent transfer, after spending the second half of last season on loan at the Ligue 1 side.

Coppola joined Brighton in June 2025 from boyhood club Hellas Verona and made nine appearances for the Seagulls.

On the 22-year-old's exit, sporting director Mike Cave said: "Diego made a good impact with Paris during his loan there last season and it was a transfer both he and Paris FC were keen to pursue.

"With growing competition for places, this moved suits all parties and allows Diego to make the next step in his career. We wish him all the best."

Former Brighton midfielder Warren Aspinall says the Seagulls should target Manchester United's Mason Mount if the Red Devils renew their interest in Carlos Baleba.

Baleba was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer of 2025, but struggled for form last season in Fabian Hurzeler's side after no deal materialised.

Mount himself has struggled for form and fitness since joining United from Chelsea in 2023.

"I was thinking - if Baleba did go to Manchester United then I'd see if I could get Mason Mount as part of the deal," Aspinall told the Albion Unlimited podcast.

"He's not going to be in the side because they've just signed two midfield players in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.

"Those two and Kobbie Mainoo will be starters, so where does that leave Mount? They have good players coming through in the likes of Tyler Fletcher."

The Red Devils appear to be the only side with concrete links with Baleba, and after signing two midfielders in a week, there is also a distinct possibility the midfielder stays at Brighton. If this is the case, Aspinall believes it is Hurzeler's responsibility to get his form back on track.

Aspinall added: "For Baleba, the manager has to sit him down in a one-to-one situation and say, 'look, just get your head down, do what you did not last season but the season before, and they will all come for you then'.

"They would all be after him because he's excellent. He's strong, powerful, breaks the lines very well. It was easy for him in certain games.

"Sometimes you get a sniff from a club like Manchester United and you start to think about that big move and big payday but it has not happened. You have to get your head down, go again, and see where it takes him.

"If he does stay he needs to knuckle down and he can have a great season at Brighton. If he plays well, Brighton play well because he wins that midfield battle. If he is at the top of his game he makes his team-mates believe."

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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Dela: Ayase Ueda of Japan. We need a worthy successor to Danny Welbeck and you don't get much better choice than the Eredivisie top goalscorer, especially for the price-range Brighton are looking at.

Tom: Marcus Rashford would fit in really well at Brighton. We need more depth in our wingers, as Karou Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh have been our only reliable options. Mitoma has been injured recently, so bringing in Rashford from Manchester United wouldn't be a bad idea. Yes he will cost a hefty price, but I think it would definitely work out as he would develop and grow in confidence with us. He would definitely start and hopefully score a ton of goals!

Alex: Jonathan David would be a great and relatively cheap signing. I live in Canada so I may have had a little more exposure to him than some. I love the Pascal Struijk signing.

Pete: Mexico's 17-year-old wonderkid Gilberto Mora will be courted by many big clubs in Europe, but Brighton have shown that young talented midfielders from South America - eg. Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo - can develop quickly and flourish at the club, before moving on for a sizeable fee to so-called bigger clubs.

Owen: Folarin Balogun looks like a strong striker option, especially moving into next season with European football. At present, we only have 34-year-old Welbeck and a currently injured Stefanos Tzimas. We could also probably sell him on afterwards for double the amount, if he performs well.