Full agreement for Brighton exit – Club got what they wanted eventually

Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Brajan Gruda is set to return to RB Leipzig as the two sides have reached an agreement for a permanent transfer.

Journalist Philipp Hinze reports Brighton and Leipzig have reached a basic agreement for the 22-year-old. There is a verbal agreement between the two clubs for him to return to Germany this summer.

Loan agreement

The journalist then explains that Brajan Gruda is set to return to Leipzig on loan with an obligation to buy. The obligation will kick in under certain conditions, which he does not name. These are often tied to appearances, or European qualification, though.

The price for the permanent transfer is set at €25-30m. But the agreement is now in place and Gruda will be returning this summer.

He spent the second half of last season on loan with the Bundesliga side after struggling for gametime with the Seagulls. He impressed too, with three goals and three assists in 14 appearances in all competitions to his name.

But various reports in Germany have made it clear that a permanent deal would be hard for Leipzig to do. A change in their circumstances, plus a change in their transfer strategy, had made that the case.

Brighton exit sorted

Sport Witness have covered those reports. One explained that any exit from Brighton this summer was likely to be a long and complicated one.

All indications were that Leipzig simply wouldn’t make the effort, but they then cancelled a farewell for the 22-year-old at the last minute. That was seen as a clear hint they had changed their mind.

Now negotiations with Brighton seem to have gone as they would have hoped.

Brajan Gruda will be returning on loan for the season and potentially signing permanently next summer if certain clauses are met. That deal is now, it seems, in the final stages and ready to be completed.