Brighton are in talks with RB Leipzig over Brajan Gruda, with the Bundesliga club keen to keep the attacking midfielder beyond his loan spell.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that Leipzig are pushing for another loan deal, with either an option or obligation to buy included. The same update claims Gruda would prefer to remain in Germany.
Brighton signed Gruda from Mainz in 2024 for a fee widely reported at around £25m, and Mainz confirmed at the time that he had joined Albion on a long-term contract.
That leaves Brighton in a strong position as talks continue. Gruda may want Leipzig, and Leipzig may want the player, but Albion do not need to rush into a deal that weakens their control over a young attacking asset.
Leipzig Want Another Structured Deal
Leipzig’s interest is easy to understand. Gruda offers technical quality, carries the ball well and can operate from the right before moving into central areas.
RB Leipzig’s announcement of the original loan also showed the role they had in mind for him. The club handed him the No.10 shirt, which pointed to a player they expected to use prominently rather than simply add as cover.
The structure of the next deal is now the key issue. A permanent sale would give Brighton certainty, but it would also require Leipzig to meet Albion’s valuation this summer. Another loan with a future option would give the German club more flexibility.
Brighton will need to be careful with that. Gruda did not fully establish himself at the Amex, but his age, contract position and technical profile still give him value. Albion’s model has usually relied on protecting that kind of upside rather than allowing it to drift.
Brighton’s January loan announcement included Fabian Hurzeler explaining that Gruda wanted regular football and could not be guaranteed it in the second half of the season. That framed the move as a development decision, not a permanent break.
Brighton Must Decide His Place In The Squad
The sporting question is whether Gruda has a clearer role at Brighton than he did before the loan.
Hurzeler has several attacking options, but European football and a busier fixture list make creative depth more important. A player who can play as a narrow winger, attacking midfielder or connector between midfield and attack would still have use in that context.
There is also a practical argument for moving him on if the pathway remains limited. If Gruda wants Leipzig and the Bundesliga club are prepared to accept a realistic obligation to buy, Brighton could turn an uncertain situation into a controlled financial outcome.
Read Brighton has already covered how Leipzig’s continued interest has left Albion with a decision to make. The next stage should be about structure rather than sentiment.
A straight loan would only delay the same discussion. An option may suit Leipzig more than Brighton if Gruda’s value rises. An obligation, set at the right level, would give Albion more protection.
Brighton still hold the contract and the stronger negotiating position. Their task now is to decide whether Gruda remains part of Hurzeler’s plans or whether Leipzig are willing to make the deal worthwhile.
