£20m Alireza to fly for Seagulls
BRIGHTON have beaten Leicester to the signing of Iran forward Alireza Jahanbakhsh in a club-record £20million deal.
Jahanbakhsh, 24, has joined the Seagulls from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar on a five-year deal, subject to a medical.
Jahanbakhsh played in all three of Iran’s games at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
The winger was the top scorer in Holland last season with 21 goals and Jahanbakhsh’s arrival takes Brighton’s summer spending close to £50m. Manager Chris Hughton said: “We are delighted to welcome Alireza to the club, and we are particularly pleased to get this deal over the line.
“Ali is a player that we have been aware of and monitored for a few years, and his versatility will increase our attacking options within the squad.
“He can play in a wide position or central midfield role. I am now very much looking forward to working with him.”
The Seagulls will now listen to offers for Czech midfielder Jiri Skalek, who is wanted by a host of Championship clubs. SOUTHAMPTON took the value of their players out on loan to £42million by sending midfielder Jordy Clasie back to Feyenoord. Clasie, left, has played 49 games since joining the Saints from the Dutch giants in an £8m deal in 2015. Southampton had already shipped out £19m record signing Guido Carrillo and £15m winger Sofiane Boufal on loan. They are also trying to find keeper Fraser Forster a new club after buying Angus Gunn. ●EVERTON have settled their long-running dispute with Watford over manager Marco Silva as part of the £40million deal to land Richarlison.