Brighton win race to sign Stuttgart prospect Chema Andres

Brighton have reportedly agreed a deal to sign highly rated midfielder Chema Andres from Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart, with the Premier League side set to pay €23m for the 21-year-old.

Andres is travelling to England to undergo a medical before the move can be completed. VfB Stuttgart will retain a sell-on clause as part of the agreement.

The deal was reported by journalist Florian Plettenberg, who said Brighton had beaten competition from a number of major European clubs to secure the midfielder’s signature.

Andres only joined VfB Stuttgart from Real Madrid Castilla last summer but quickly became a regular for the German side. His progress has attracted significant attention during his first season with the club, with several of Europe’s biggest teams reportedly monitoring his situation.

A deep-lying playmaker, Andres has been compared with Rodri, the Spain midfielder who has established himself as a leading figure at Barcelona. Those comparisons, together with his rapid rise at VfB Stuttgart, helped make him one of the most sought-after young midfielders during the summer.

Brighton’s reported agreement represents a significant move for a player who has spent only one season with the Bundesliga club. The proposed €23m fee reflects the interest in Andres, while the sell-on clause gives VfB Stuttgart the opportunity to benefit from a future transfer involving the midfielder.

The transfer remains subject to Andres completing his medical in England. Until that process is finished, the move has not been formally completed, although the reported agreement puts Brighton in position to add the young midfielder to their squad.

Andres’ immediate next step is therefore his medical, following Brighton’s success in securing an agreement with VfB Stuttgart and winning the contest for his signature.