Brighton locked in battle of clauses as they counter new bid – Negotiations could take a while

VfB Stuttgart have now activated the purchase clause for Brighton and Hove Albion striker Deniz Undav, but the power remains in the Seagulls’ hands.

That’s according to BILD and journalist Florian Plettenberg, who both report that Brighton can still stop the striker from leaving by countering that clause with a buy-back one of their own.

BILD explain that Brighton and Stuttgart have been locked in negotiations over Undav for weeks without reaching a positive conclusion to keep him at the German club long-term.

Stuttgart have now played their hands, activating a €20m clause in his loan deal that was set to expire this weekend. Plettenberg backs this up, stating that clause has been activated.

BILD, though, say that doesn’t mean talks are over and instead the ‘tough negotiations’ will continue as Brighton have already countered that offer by making use of their ‘higher buy-back option’.

So tough negotiations will now continue, with Stuttgart preparing a new, even higher offer for next week to try and convince Brighton to sell.

Plettenberg, meanwhile, says Brighton are yet to use their own buy-back clause but if they do, then negotiations between the two sides will continue next week.

Both do however agree that Undav has made it clear he wants to remain with Stuttgart and has already agreed personal terms for his return to the club. So that works in the German side’s favour at least.

BILD conclude by saying that is unlikely an agreement will be reached while the striker is at Euro 2024 with Germany, so it seems we may be set for more of this back and forth, clause-based battle unless the hosts exit sooner rather than later.