Potter tackles Albion’s striker plan for the window and those Lamptey rumours
The departures of Jurgen Locadia and Aaron Connolly in the early stages of this transfer window has Albion looking short of options in attacking areas.
Locadia, who joined the club in 2018 for a then record deal of £14m, struggled to find his best form at Albion and earlier this week sealed a permanent move to Bundesliga outfit Bochum.
Connolly also found regular game time in the Premier League hard to come by and the Ireland international moved to Championship outfit Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season.
It leaves Brighton with
Neal Maupay and Danny Welbeck as the two recognised strikers in Graham Potter’ s squad, with 17-year-old Evan Ferguson - who is yet to play in the Premier League - as the chief support.
Leo Trossard and Alexis Mac Allister have chipped in with goals from midfield but many fans are keen for Brighton to sign a striker and offer support to leading scorer Maupay and Welbeck, who is just returning from hamstring surgery.
But asked if more cover was required at the sharp end, Potter replied: “Not necessarily.
“Danny Welbeck coming back is really important for us. Evan Ferguson has stepped up from the under23s and has been training with us for the last few weeks, so he plays a role in the first team group.
“There’s always a chance when the window is open, but as it stands I am happy with what we have got.”
Brighton have added young Polish international midfielder Kacper Kozłowski to their ranks so far this January but the £8m arrival will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Belgian outfit USG.
Potter added: “January is difficult for that type of signing generally anyway. I’ve always had a good idea of how we want to work in the window, we work ahead, it’s not like we are caught by surprise.
“We have a strategy of what we want to do as a club and we will follow that. In the window you’ve always got to be on your toes and be aware of what is out there. We will do our best with it.
“I am really happy with the group we have got and it can get better. I don’t think we’ve reached the maximum potential as a group and I am looking forward to seeing how that develops.
“Then we will see if anything comes from the outside which we have to factor in, we’re open to that. We’re not a selling club, but you never know in this world.”
When asked what a good January transfer window would look like, Potter said: “A couple more wins in the Premier League! If we can get through in the FA Cup and a few wins then I will be happy with that.”
Meanwhile, Albion’s Mali international Yves Bissouma - who has 18 months remaining on his contract - continues to attract attention.
Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa are the latest club to show an interest for the Albion midfielder who is now representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I’d expect all our players to be with us,” said Potter.
“There’s a lot of speculation out there, there’s nothing to report. The fact that there’s speculation out there means we’re doing something well.
“As a team and a club, which we are, we’re ok with that speculation.”
Lamptey latest
Graham Potter admitted he wasn’t surprised by the reports linking Tariq Lamptey with big money moves to Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Lamptey, 21, has been in good form for Albion this season since coming back from hamstring surgery and his performances have caught the eye of the Premier League elite.
The former Chelsea man has quickly returned to his best form and helped Albion to a lofty ninth in the Premier League standings.
Lamptey joined Albion in January 2020 for just £3m from Chelsea as the England youth international went in search of regular first team football.
Danny Welbeck coming back isreally important for us