Another Premier League season is nearing its closure and a few of the outfits are still having some unfinished business left with only a few games remaining. However, the story of new boys Brighton & Hove Albion is not the same as they have performed quite impressively for past 9 months and are likely to avoid a relegation scare despite some tough fixtures are yet to take place in the last four outings of the ongoing campaign. The Seagulls have started identifying their summer transfer targets already and the rumour of Strasbourg’s Stéphane Bahoken is gathering pace as per several outlets.
The 25-year-old Cameroonian is not a well-known name to the football fanatics but recently earned his maiden international cap due to some impressive outings for the Ligue 1 new boys. They too are likely to avoid a relegation scare and the 6 ft 1 in centre-forward has played a crucial role by notching 6 goals so far in the competition. He has scored two more goals in Cup outings and is drawing interest from a host of European outfits. Bahoken will be a free agent in summer after rejecting a new deal of extending his stay at Strasbourg as he is weighing up his next career move.
Everton, Newcastle United and Stoke City have scouted the striker on quite a few occasions and are likely to contest the Seagulls to tie him down on a Bosman transfer. Aston Villa, the Championship promotion aspirers, are also seeking a move for the former Nice youngster but the profile of Premier League football keeps Chris Hughton right in front of the queue to bring him in. Brighton boss already has a number of striking options in his ranks but none except 34-year-old Glenn Murray has caught the eyes.
Tomer Hemed and Sam Baldock are not good enough to earn a regular role in Premier League football whereas young Dutchman Jurgen Locadia, although impressed in limited opportunities, is yet to make his way in Hughton’s plans. Leonardo Ulloa, the veteran Argentine, who had a previous successful stint at Amex, has been loaned in from Leicester City in winter but unlikely to be retained on a permanent deal beyond this season.
Brighton, therefore, need attacking reinforcements and the availability of the Cameroonian international has made them observant regarding a possible summer deal.
His physical presence, as well as positioning inside the box, might help him to be successful as a ‘fox in the box’ forward and a deal for Bahoken might turn out to be a bargain for the Seagulls.
