Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has distanced himself from reports suggesting the Seagulls are keen to sign Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall before the transfer window closes on Thursday.
Dewsbury-Hall was one of the few Leicester players to emerge with credit from last season’s relegation from the Premier League and he has continued his fine form this term to help the Foxes to the top of the Championship.
Read our other football news stories here:
Villa have improved since opening-day drubbing – Emery
Emotional Edwards happy to see Lockyer
Barcelona rumours are ‘fake news’, says Arteta
The 25-year-old has been linked with a £30million move to the Amex but De Zerbi was not interested in discussing any transfer moves ahead of tomorrow night’s trip to Luton.
He said: “I don’t know anything about him. I know him as a player, he has good quality but he is not my business.
“I don’t speak about other players.“
One player he was happy to discuss was striker Joao Pedro, who scored a hat-trick in Saturday’s 5-2 FA Cup win at Sheffield United.
De Zerbi said of the Brazilian: “The target of Joao is to play better and better and to keep this mentality. He is showing a great mentality and that’s what he needs, we also need it.
“He is becoming amazing as a striker. He has the quality to play in possession and between the lines.
“The last step to become a great player is to play 90 minutes in the same way. Sometimes he starts the game not the best and I would like it from the beginning to the end.”
All set for another BIG week! ✊ pic.twitter.com/xv1h4jqcil
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 29, 2024
Brighton head to Luton in seventh place in the Premier League in what is turning into another impressive season. Italian De Zerbi knows his side will have to be at their best if they want to claim all three points at Kenilworth Road, however.
“Playing at Luton’s stadium is one of the toughest games this season,” he said. “They play with intensity, especially at home and people think Brighton have to win.
“It’s normal if Brighton win at Luton but in football games aren’t that easy and if you want to win you have to push until the end.
“Arsenal and Manchester City won right at the end, I watched both games and it was very difficult for both teams.”
Brighton will again be without on-loan Barcelona star Ansu Fati even though he is close to returning from a thigh injury.
