Brighton exit stance revealed as Blackburn Rovers join Portsmouth in transfer race | OneFootball

Brighton and Hove Albion prodigy Amario Cozier-Duberry has earned interest from the Championship

Blackburn Rovers have entered the race for Brighton and Hove Albion's Amario Cozier-Duberry ahead of a potential switch before tomorrow evening's 11pm transfer deadline.

As reported by The Sun's transfer guru Alan Nixon on Wednesday evening - via his exclusive Patreon service - Blackburn are eyeing a move for the highly-rated winger, who has also earned interest from Championship rivals Portsmouth after joining Brighton earlier this summer.

Blackburn appear to be in the market for additional options in wide areas, having attempted to broker a deal for Rangers' Rabbi Matondo.

John Eustace confirmed the club's interest in the one-time Manchester City prospect last week although it looks unlikely that Gers boss Phillipe Clement will sanction a departure for Matondo this summer, with Norwich City also reportedly knocked back in their pursuits.

However, despite losing both Sam Gallagher and last season's Championship top goalscorer Sammie Szmodics, Blackburn have made a positive start to the 2024/25 campaign by beating Derby County and Oxford United while claiming a draw against the Canaries, too. They will face their sternest test to date on Saturday afternoon, where a trip to Turf Moor for the Lancashire Derby against Burnley awaits.

Blackburn Rovers interested in Brighton's Amario Cozier-Duberry amid Portsmouth claim

As per Nixon's recent report, Blackburn are trying to sign Cozier-Duberry on loan in the dying embers of the window.

Though having only signed for Brighton earlier this summer, the 19-year-old is poised to seal a loan move to the Championship, with newly promoted side Portsmouth also expressing an interest, according to The News.

Pompey have signed a host of wingers across the summer window in Josh Murphy, Sammy Silvera, Harvey Blair, and Elias Sørsenen, who can also operate as a striker. It remains to be seen whether the Seagulls will be willing to sanction a move across the south coast given how well-stocked they already happen to be out wide.

However, it does appear as though Blackburn are more advanced in the race than John Mousinho's side, as Nixon has additionally reported that Cozier-Duberry has already spoken to negotiators at Ewood Park.

At the time of writing, the player is believed to be considering his options and Brighton themselves are reportedly open to the move going through, which could hand Rovers a significant boost in their attempts to sign the ex-Arsenal academy star.

Amario Cozier-Duberry would be an exciting signing for Blackburn Rovers

For those who keep an eye on the elite-level academy game, Cozier-Duberry will already be a familiar face.

Having previously earned comparisons to one such Bukayo Saka during his time with the Gunners, the teenager has long been regarded among the finest young prodigies in English football and is a precocious talent.

Direct, two-footed and full of speed and trickery, Cozier-Duberry is extremely effective when cutting in on his left foot and would offer Blackburn much-needed additional impetus in the final third, which they are still in sore need of if they are to sustain their early-season form and improve upon the previous term.

Positively, you do get the impression that they are ahead of Portsmouth in the race to sign him and could be well-placed to seal the deal, having utilised the Premier League loan market to great effect over recent years. Now, they must use that to their advantage and strike a deal to take him to Lancashire.