Formidable Brighton and Hove Albion team

The Seagulls could be high-fliers in the Championship if the team they are building fulfill their potential on paper, especially if the rumours of another coup, possibly a striker/hit man,  are true.

How's this for a possible lineup?

Vicente is back in Brighton

Brighton's Spanish star, Vicente, is back in town and, as reported by the Argus, the outlook is encouraging.

His agent, Victor Oñate,  said: “Vicente is not playing for money or the contract. He is playing for Brighton because the project there appeals to him and he wants to help them into the Premier League."

I'm sure every fan will hope that he does just that.

ARGUS STORY

Jordan Rhodes set for Brighton?

Jordan Rhodes, the prolific Huddersfield striker, is said to have been spotted being shown around the Amex stadium. It would be a major coup for the club to sign a young man who has been chased by Premiership teams.

Wayne Bridge could be coming to Brighton

Gus Poyet is trying to tempt former England left back Wayne Bridge to Brighton on loan from Manchester City, according to the Argus. Bridge hasn't played in the Premier League since December 2010.

City, apparently, have no objection and it is up to Bridge himself.

ARGUS STORY

Vicente not expected as training starts

The Argus reports that Vicente's agent has told Brighton not to expect the Spanish star to turn up for training until his dispute with the club is settled. There's a surprise, then!

Brighton v Sheffield Wednesday fixture brought forward to Friday September 14

Brighton v Sheffield Wednesday has been moved to Friday September 14 at 19.45 instead of Saturday September 15 because of the Freshers Weekend at the university.

Do Brighton and Hove Albion want Vicente Rodriguez if he doesn't want them?

There is merit to the argument that if Vicente is not happy with Brighton and Hove Albion, then the Seagulls should not force him to stay.

Yet, invoking the option in his contract to extend the original deal to beyond the end of the coming season is, as manager Gus Poyet has said, only sensible.

If other clubs are desperate to sign the Spanish superstar, then Brighton should be entitled to a fee, especially as Albion helped him through a difficult period with fitness and injuries.

There is no doubt that Vicente is an exceptionally talented footballer, and shone every time he took to the pitch, but if he doesn't want to be with the Albion, that might manifest itself in the way he plays.

I am hardly suggesting that he would not give 100 per cent as the true professional that he is, but an unhappy player is never at his full potential.

Do Brighton need him? Probably not. Anyway, the fee could go towards another talented play-maker who actually wants to be at the club.

With the new signings, plus more to come, Brighton should be looking at a minimum of the play offs – with or without Vicente.

Especially as it likely to be a golden season for striker Craig Mackail-Smith.

Vicente not happy with Albion

Vicente is said to be unhappy with Albion's decision to activate a clause in his contract that extends the deal to the end of next season.

The Argus reports that the director general of the star player's company in Valencia, Victor Oñate, flew to Britain yesterday and is expected to hold talks with the club today.

Watch this space...

ARGUS STORY

Vicente saga: will he, won't he, will he?

A bland, rather brutal, club statement about Spanish star Vicente has prompted numerous conspiracy theories among Brighton fans.

Albion say they have exercised their option to extend Vicente Rodriguez's contract until June 2013.

But Gus Poyet has admitted that an agreement has not been reached to bring Vincente back on to the Amex pitch – although he expects the former Spanish international to be training with the Seagulls next week.

Theories abound among fans. Some believe the extension is so that Brighton can claim a fee when Vicente is signed by another club.

The Seagull has even heard one fan muse that it is because Vicente's wife wants to go back to Spain and the play maker can truthfully say: "Sorry, dear, we can't do that just yet. I have to stay in England for another year!"

Club statement in full:

"Brighton & Hove Albion have exercised the option of a one-year extension on the contract of Vicente Rodriguez.

The former Spanish international signed a one-year deal, with a one-year option, when he joined Albion from Valencia last September.

The club has activated that option, meaning Vicente is now under contract with Albion until 30th June 2013."

Injuries

Although Vicente has been troubled by injuries, he played 17 league games for Brighton last season, scoring three time and assisting seven times. He was easily the best player on the pitch, which is hardly surprising for a footballer of his ability.

Brighton linked to Arsenal defender Ignasi Miquel – possible loan deal for season

Arsenal defender Ignasi Miquel has been linked to the Seagulls on a possible loan for the new season.

The 19-year-old Spaniard is highly rated at the Gunners and made nine first team appearances last season.

Gus Poyet wants to strengthen the left-back position, although the Spaniard is mainly a centre-back.

VITAL FOOTBALL report

Bruno 'turned down Ajax' to sign for Brighton

The Argus story about new Seagulls defender Bruno

Brighton and Hove Albion's new defender from Spain, right back Bruno Saltor Grau (known simply as Bruno), turned down offers from clubs in Spain and other parts of Europe, according to a report in the Brighton Argus. The report says that one offer might have been from Dutch side Ajax.

Bruno has signed a two-year deal with the Seagulls and his arrival has excited a lot of comment from the fans who are expecting the club to finish much higher in the Championship in the coming season – even to be promoted.

ARGUS STORY