Brighton have had two bids rejected by Charlton for striker Micah Mbick as they look towards the future.
Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler is in the market for a new frontman and someone who can be identified as a successor for veteran Danny Welbeck.
Welbeck has recently turned 35, while his team-mate Charalampos Kostoulas, who scored a brilliant acrobatic equaliser against Bournemouth on Monday, is only 18.
Georginio Rutter has played in attack but is seen more as a No10 as he prefers to drop deep to get on the ball.
Brighton Bid For Micah Mbick
David Ornstein claims Brighton have seen two offers rejected for Mbick, who is currently enjoying a loan spell with Colchester in League Two.
Mbick, 19, has scored six goals in 19 matches, and Brighton’s second bid has topped £3.5million.
The Premier League side are unlikely to be deterred in their efforts to make another offer and believe a deal can be concluded before the end of the January transfer window.
Mbick is considered one of the brightest talents in the football pyramid and earned his first call-up and debut for the England U20 national team in November 2025, playing in a 1–1 draw against Japan.
He joined the Charlton academy aged 10 and made his debut for the senior team on November 15, 2023, scoring just three minutes after coming off the bench in an FA Cup match.
Mbick also won the League Two Goal of the Month award for November in Colchester’s clash with Grimsby Town.
Charlton boss Nathan Jones said he loaned out Mbick because he was relatively unknown at senior level, but praised his ability to step up.
He said: “In the case of Mbick, that’s the first loan he has had. He is a little more of an unknown, but he has taken to it like a duck to water.
“He’s done fantastically well, and he’s at a club where he gets well-coached.”
🔔‼️Micah Mbick, 19 year old forward.
Reports from Ornstein that we’re negotiating with Charlton and have had two bids turned down #BHAFC
— Brightonian (@Brightonian_) January 20, 2026
Brighton Winger Set For Birmingham Deal
Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento is set to turn down offers to join Wrexham and Middlesbrough to join Birmingham City.
The Championship side are proving busy this month as they also close on a deal to sign August Priske in what is seen as a real coup.
Boss Chris Davies is under pressure with the likes of Lee Carsley in the running to become the next Birmingham manager should he get the sack.
Sarmiento, 23, is currently on loan with Cremonese but has had minimal impact with the Serie A outfit, making only seven appearances off the bench and failing to register a goal or an assist.
The talented winger was on loan with Burnley last season and played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League.
He made 35 appearances under Scott Parker, scoring four goals.
