Brighton developments may ease Derby County's Eiran Cashin fear: View | OneFootball

The centre-back has been a Brighton target for the last year, but a change in manager at the AMEX may impact their targeting of Cashin.

Highlights

After a season of chasing Derby County's Eiran Cashin, Brighton & Hove Albion's appointment of Fabian Hürzeler may have an impact on their targeting of the centre-back.

The Premier League side made several attempts to sign Cashin last summer, including a late bid of £4 million on deadline day to try and coerce Derby into the sale of their two-time Young Player of the Season.

However, with Hürzeler taking over the reins at the AMEX following the departure of Roberto De Zerbi at the end of last season, Brighton may be targeting different players this summer.

Yet, the Rams will need to stand firm in their valuation of Cashin if a bid does come in, as they look for survival in their first season back in the Championship.

Cashin is essential to Derby's season

At 22, Cashin has been stellar for the Rams since breaking through in the 2021/22 season. His performances earned him a place as a starter towards the end of the campaign as the team were relegated from the Championship after a 21-point deduction.

He was imperious in League One under Paul Warne, forming a solid partnership with Curtis Nelson last season, as the pair helped Derby to promotion at the second time of asking - forming the best defence in the division, conceding just 37 goals across 46 games.

His performances, and importance to Derby, earned him a new contract. With his future secured until 2027 at Pride Park, he will be hoping to carry on his development and make a name for himself in the second-tier.

As a newly promoted side, Derby will be tested defensively in the new season, and holding onto the ex-Republic of Ireland U21 star will be crucial in determining the Rams' success. And after a formidable season, he was awarded a place in League One's Team of the Season, alongside teammate Nathaniel Mendez-Laing; an award that only boosts his already great reputation.

However, if Derby are unable to keep hold of the 22-year-old, they will be looking for a large fee to compensate for his loss.

Brighton may look to other targets under Hürzeler

The arrival of the 31-year-old German may end Brighton's pursuit of Cashin, as Hürzeler looks to bring in his own transfer policy.

This could be the perfect situation for the Rams, who may have expected De Zerbi to spend the summer fighting for Cashin if he was still in charge of the Seagulls.

With Derby locking the centre-back down with his long-term contract, his transfer fee will be higher than it was last year, and Brighton may find it more sensible to stay out of another drawn-out saga of trying to secure the services of the 22-year-old.

They may also find Derby's promotion to be the perfect opportunity to watch from afar in the first half of the 2024/25 season. A good start to life in the Championship for Cashin may reignite Brighton's interest in a division that is closer to that of the level of the Premier League.

Hürzeler will have targets from his former club FC St. Pauli, and may revisit the soon-to-be Bundesliga side to poach a couple of players that may just plug the gap in a Cashin-less Brighton team.