WHO IS BRIGHTON’S NIGERIAN £21.5 MILLION TEENAGER WONDER KID?

 

Zadok Yohanna at the Ikon Allah Football Academy. (Image: Ikon Allah football Academy)

Brighton snapped up Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna from Swedish side AIK Stockholm this summer.

The 18-year-old put pen to paper on a five-year deal reportedly worth around £21.5 million. It's a significant fee for such a young prospect.

Speaking about the transfer, Fabian Hurzeler said: “I’m looking forward to working with Zadok. Having seen his games and his attributes, he is a player that can impact games in the final third. 

“He’s still young, and will need time to adapt to the club and Premier League, but he’s an exciting player to watch and he brings the kind of creativity we know our fans will enjoy. 

“He’s dynamic, has pace and likes to take players on. His attributes and ability will be a real addition to our attacking options.”

Before making the move to Sweden, Yohanna came through the ranks at Nigeria's Ikon Allah Football Academy, where he first caught the attention of European scouts.

Ayi Muhammed, the man who took him under his wing at the Ikon Allah Football Academy in Nigeria, believes he will be a great investment.

Muhammed is president of the academy and said he felt like a second father to the winger, who left home at the age of 11 to learn his trade.

He speaks like a dad at times and a coach at others as he talks about Yohanna from the academy in Kaduna.

“I picked Zadok from the age of 11 and his family is like three to four hours’ drive away,” he said.

“I saw his potential from the age of 11. He has special qualities and in the next two years he must get the African Balon d’Or, before the age of 20.

“This is what he can do in England. In the English league you will see another different side.

“He is special. He has all the qualities. Skills, marking ability, he uses his head. Everything, Yohanna has it."

He made 18 appearances for AIK this season in the league and cup, scoring five goals and providing four assists.

Albion will be setting their targets high in the UEFA Conference League, and Yohanna is likely to feature. It's a competition he could shine in.

On the right wing, he will face stiff competition from Yankuba Minteh, but only if the Gambian talent stays at Brighton.

Reports suggest Liverpool are pushing for a Minteh move. If that happens, pressure will really be on the teenager.

- Henry Bryant

CURRENT PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGERS

 

MANCHESTER UNITE'S NEXT FIVE FIXTURES COMPARED TO ARSENAL, LIVERPOOL AND MAN CITY AFTER BRIGHTON

Manchester United will be looking to continue the excellent momentum they have built in recent games as they eye a return to Europe under Ruben Amorim

Manchester United are in good form under Ruben Amorim (Image: Getty )

Manchester United are in good form under Ruben Amorim after recording a third consecutive win on Saturday.

Ruben Amorim's side beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 at Old Trafford to record a first home victory over the Seagulls since February 2022. Victory over Fabian Hurzeler's team moved United up into the European places after previous wins over Liverpool and Sunderland.

The Reds are finally looking up under Amorim, and their absence from Europe means they will have a full week to prepare for most fixtures this season. United's record so far in 2024/25 across all competitions reads five wins, one draw and four defeats with no games outside of the Premier League for Amorim's men until they play in the FA Cup third round in January.

United return to action on Saturday afternoon away at Nottingham Forest. Below is a look at the next five league fixtures for Amorim's team and the sides around them in the top-flight table.

Manchester United

Nottingham Forest (Away) - November 1

Tottenham Hotspur (A) - November 8

Everton (Home) - November 24

Crystal Palace (A) - November 30

West Ham United (H) - December 4

Arsenal

Burnley (A) - November 1

Sunderland (A) - November 8

Tottenham (H) - November 23

Chelsea (A) - November 30

Brentford (H) - December 3

Liverpool

Aston Villa (H) - November 1

Manchester City (A) - November 9

Nottingham Forest (H) - November 22

West Ham (A) - November 30

Sunderland (H) - December 3

Manchester City

Bournemouth (H) - November 2

Liverpool (H) - November 9

Newcastle (A) - November 22

Leeds (H) - November 29

Fulham (A) - December 2

Amorim was asked how important the victory over Brighton on Saturday was and said: "It was really important, also the performance, we had to play different games in different moments of the game.

"And I think the players understood really well what to do in every moment. We had to suffer a bit at the end, it wouldn’t be Manchester United without a bit of suffering, but we deserved the win against a very good team, a team that is hard to press against high, but we did really well.

"I think they [the players] are more confident, the best game we did this season was against Arsenal. But then when you are confident, you have a different spirit, that helps you to win games. That's what I'm feeling now. We're a little bit more free. Last week we are a bit more luck because of that."

- Isaac Seelochan

MAN UNITED CAUGHT IN TRANSFER SHAKE-UP AS SURPRISE LIVERPOOL 'SWAP DEAL' EMERGES

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, but could be left empty-handed by Chelsea and Liverpool

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has been linked with a new midfield target(Image: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Manchester United's pursuit of Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton could be influenced by the transfer activities of their rivals.

Ruben Amorim's squad are considering midfield options after bringing in three forwards this summer. Striker Benjamin Sesko is set to lead a revamped United attack, supported by fellow newcomers Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

United have shown interest in Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, but the Seagulls' hefty £100million asking price has reportedly led the club to consider Palace ace Wharton as an alternative. However, United's chances of landing Wharton could hinge on the futures of Palace's other star players, Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze.

Manchester United have reportedly identified Adam Wharton as an alternative target(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

The Independent reports that United have earmarked Wharton as a potential substitute for Baleba due to the latter's price tag exceeding £100m. Yet, it's suggested that the Eagles might demand even more for Wharton if they decide to part ways with England pair Guehi and Eze.

Liverpool have set their sights on Guehi to strengthen Arne Slot's defensive line-up. The 25 year old is in the last year of his contract and Liverpool hope to secure the centre-back for £35m, while Palace are believed to be holding out for £40m, reports the Manchester Evening News.

However, Guehi's circumstances have potentially become more complex due to Palace's pursuit of midfielder Harvey Elliott, whom Liverpool rate at the same fee. The Sun reports that the prospect of a swap deal featuring Guehi and Elliott hasn't been dismissed, which could scupper United's ambitions of securing a deal for Wharton.

There had been optimism that Guehi might remain at Palace this season, which could have made the Eagles more receptive to entertaining bids for Wharton. Nevertheless, the club are reluctant to allow the defender to depart on a free transfer next summer.

Carlos Baleba has scored four goals in 77 games for Brighton across all competitions(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)

Their pursuit of Elliott presents Liverpool with an opportunity to arrange a swap deal after their initial bid for the centre-back was reportedly significantly below Palace's asking price.

After the club's Community Shield triumph last weekend, Palace chairman Steve Parish commented: "Players come and go in football clubs, you know, I mean, it's a life cycle isn't it? Hopefully they're still here. That's what I'd like but we'll see."

Meanwhile, Palace are reportedly weighing up a move for Elliott as a potential successor to Eze, who has caught the eye of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Palace's talisman carries a £68m release clause that is said to expire on Friday.

Should Palace part with just one of Eze or Guehi, the club might be more inclined to consider bids for Wharton. However, if both Guehi and Eze depart, they'll be even less willing to discuss terms for Wharton and will find themselves in a robust financial position should transfer fees be secured for the duo.

The deal could rest on any potential Eberechi Eze transfer(Image: Getty Images)

The 21 year old has garnered widespread praise since his move to Selhurst Park from Blackburn Rovers in February 2024, although injury setbacks hampered his campaign last term, limiting him to just 20 league outings.

The defensive midfielder shares the same age as Baleba, who has likewise made his mark in the Premier League since his switch to Brighton from Lille two years ago. Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler dismissed speculation that Baleba was set to depart the club after he sat out their friendly against Wolfsburg due to a minor knee problem.

"He trained today, he trained yesterday," Hurzeler explained. "So we don't want to take any risks, but he will be back."

United are eager to bolster their midfield ranks ahead of the new season. Amorim largely depended on Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in the engine room during the previous campaign.

- Jake Bayliss & Alexander Snow