Club need to ‘dig deep into their pockets’ for Brighton man – Chief confirms fee “cannot simply be paid”

Fortuna Düsseldorf will need to pay a fee of less than €5.5m if they wish to sign Michal Karbownik from Brighton & Hove Albion next summer.

That’s according to Rheinische Post, relayed by Fussball Transfers, who cover the potential move today.

We covered a report from the same newspaper yesterday that explained how Karbownik was unlikely to be staying with the 2. Bundesliga side next season when his loan from Brighton comes to an end.

The German side do have a purchase clause in that deal and would be keen on Karbownik as he’s been shining for them of late after establishing himself in the first team.

However, it was explained that clause was far too expensive for them to activate, even if they secure promotion to the Bundesliga this season.

The same outlet follow that up today and explain Düsseldorf would have to ‘dig deep into their pockets’ to sign the Brighton man.

Sporting director Klaus Allofs confirmed to them that the clause “cannot simply be paid out of petty cash”, although promotion would make it possible to finance the sum.

There’s no definite figure put on the potential deal, but it is explained that it is ‘far below’ €5.5m, which is what Brighton paid to sign Karbownik from Legia Warsaw two years ago.

Whatever the figure, it seems it is currently too rich for Fortuna, and negotiations may be on the way with Brighton in the coming months.