RB Leipzig and Brighton & Hove Albion have reached a verbal agreement for the transfer of attacking midfielder Brajan Gruda, according to Sky Germany. The deal will see Gruda initially rejoin the Bundesliga club on loan, with a subsequent obligation for Leipzig to make the transfer permanent.
The final details of the agreement are still being finalized, but once completed, Gruda will become the first signing under new Leipzig manager Micho Demichelis. The obligation to buy is reportedly tied to specific performance-related conditions, most notably the amount of playing time Gruda receives.
Transfer fees are expected to fall between €25-30million for the 21-year-old, who previously spent the second half of last season on loan at Leipzig. During that loan spell, Gruda made a positive impression, demonstrating his potential in the Bundesliga. He contributed to the team’s attack with 3 goals and 3 assists in 13 league appearances, totaling 754 minutes of play.
Gruda originally came through the youth ranks at 1. FSV Mainz 05 before joining Brighton in the summer of 2023. However, he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the Premier League, making only a handful of appearances for the Seagulls. The move back to Leipzig offers him the opportunity to secure consistent first-team football and continue his development in a league where he has already proven his capabilities.
For RB Leipzig, the acquisition of Gruda provides a creative attacking option as they look to strengthen their squad under Demichelis. The loan-to-buy structure allows the club to assess the player’s long-term suitability before committing to a significant financial outlay. This transfer could be a key step in Leipzig’s ambitions to challenge for Champions League qualification once again.
