{"id":1358363,"date":"2024-07-09T15:10:38","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T14:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1358363"},"modified":"2024-07-09T15:32:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T14:32:41","slug":"mats-wieffer-brighton-arne-slot-transfer","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/mats-wieffer-brighton-arne-slot-transfer\/","title":{"rendered":"Brighton transfers: Did Liverpool miss out on one of Europe’s most complete CMs?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brighton’s mini-Dutch enclave welcomed a new member as Mats Wieffer completed his \u00a325.6m switch from Eredivisie giants Feyenoord.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 24-year-old midfielder joins compatriots Bart Verbruggen, Jan Paul van Hecke and Jo\u00ebl Veltman at the Falmer Stadium, with the signing representing somewhat of a coup.<\/p>\n

Due to his excellent performances in Rotterdam, the nine-time capped international received interest from numerous clubs, including reportedly Barcelona, Milan, Atl\u00e9tico Madrid, and Liverpool, where his former boss Arne Slot begins the post-J\u00fcrgen Klopp era.<\/p>\n

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Slot, who has yet to make his first signing as Reds boss, was quick to point out that there were no concrete plans to bring Wieffer to Anfield despite reports suggesting Liverpool had made an eleventh-hour bid.<\/p>\n

“No, I have not spoken to Mats,” he told Viaplay. “It would be very nice to see him, but I hope he doesn\u2019t want to prove himself too much in those matches against his old manager.<\/p>\n

“I think it\u2019s especially great for him when you see where he comes from. That he can make the step to the Premier League two years after he came from Excelsior. That’s great for him.<\/p>\n

“It’s fantastic for him, but also for Feyenoord because it’s the biggest transfer in the club’s history.”<\/p>\n

As expected, Slot’s former club was reluctant to let Wieffer go easily, and they had very good reasons when you consider his underlying numbers.<\/p>\n

The former Twente academy graduate joined the Rotterdammers in July 2022 from cross-city rivals Excelsior and quickly established a strong reputation for himself. Wieffer played an instrumental role in Feyenoord’s victory in the 2022\/23 Eredivisie, but their championship defence unravelled at the hands of Peter Bosz’s all-conquering PSV team, who claimed the title with a seven-point margin.<\/p>\n

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Wieffer is a Seagull! ??? pic.twitter.com\/mSgRboNRIq<\/a><\/p>\n

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 5, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n