“I don’t know” – Player raises concern over Brighton future, Seagulls haven’t ‘yet’ taken step to extend contract

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Steven Alzate has told La Dernière Heure that he’s unaware where his future lies beyond this season.

The midfielder joined the Seagulls from Leyton Orient in 2017, and his failure to cement a place at The Amex saw Brighton send him out on loan to Standard Liège last season.

Earlier claims had suggested Roberto De Zerbi could include him in his plans this season, more so after both Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo’s exits in the summer window.

That didn’t happen and the 25-year-old returned to the Jupiler Pro League side on another loan deal, without any option or obligation to buy.

His contract at the Premier League side runs down next summer, with an option to extend it for another year. The Colombia international has revealed it hasn’t been exercised yet by Brighton, leaving him worried about his long-term future.

When asked if it’s difficult for him to identify with a club he’ll have to leave next summer, he said: “Not knowing where we will play next season can be unsettling. This is my last year of contract at Brighton, although I have an option for an additional one which has not yet been exercised.

“At the moment, I don’t know where I will be in a few months but the most important thing is that I am playing and I feel good where I am.”

The Brighton owned player has stated he turned down other options to return to Standard Liège. He has also not closed the door on the possibility of extending his stay in Belgium beyond this season.

“Of course. Belgium is a great springboard. Standard allowed me to have playing time and to show myself, which is crucial for me,” Alzate explained.

“But to be honest, if you had told me a few years ago that I would be playing in Belgium, I wouldn’t have believed it. But today I’m grateful to be here and who knows if I won’t stay longer, who knows, time will tell.”