Chris Hughton desperate to sign a striker after Brighton draw another blank at Watford

Chris Hughton
Chris Hughton salutes the travelling Brighton support after Saturday's draw at Watford Credit: PA

Brighton may have a point but they do not yet have a goal. Injuries and failed medicals have left them desperately short in the striker department and Chris Hughton knows he must act before Friday morning if his club are to have a chance of remaining in the Premier League.

“I don’t know,” said Hughton when asked after Saturday's 0-0 draw at Watford if he was confident of a new arrival. “It’s a tough market but all I can guarantee is that we’ll work as hard as we can to do that but we’re not the only ones and I think it will be a busy period.”

Hughton thought he had improved his options but 21- year-old FC Zurich striker Raphael Dwamena failed a medical last Friday after an £8 million fee had been agreed. Brighton also lost out to Swansea in their pursuit of Tammy Abraham, while Gent midfielder Renato Neto also failed a medical due to a knee problem. “So disappointing but what we have to do is move on,” Hughton said. 

Brighton 
Brighton drew 0-0 at Watford on Saturday 

With five points from their opening three fixtures, Watford’s start under Marco Silva has been encouraging. It might have been even better had Miguel Britos not been sent off inside 25 minutes for a dangerous tackle on Anthony Knockaert, a dismissal which followed Jose Holebas’s in midweek.

“I spoke with him because that’s not what I want,” said Silva. Like Hughton, he is hoping to be busy. 

“Our board knows what I want,” said Silva, adding Watford might sign as many as three new players.

License this content