Yasin Ayari says he’s happy at Brighton & Hove Albion while refusing to commit his long-term future to the Premier League side.
The Sweden international joined Brighton from AIK Fotboll in January 2023 and spent the 18 months out on loan.
Roberto De Zerbi didn’t hand him minutes at Brighton, who sent him on loan to Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers. The Italian left at the end of the 2023/24 season and Fabian Hürzeler replaced him.
Ayari has been a regular for the Seagulls under Hürzeler, playing 78 matches since the start of the 2024/25 season.
Contract makes Brighton future uncertain
The midfielder’s contract expires in 2026, and the English club have an option to extend it for another year.
He’s currently with Sweden, and Fotbollskanalen spoke to Yasin Ayari about his contract situation at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Last month, Sport Witness relayed news he’s refusing to sign an extension at The Amex. The 22-year-old now refused to either confirm or deny whether he wants to commit his future to the Seagulls.
“It feels good at Brighton and I’m under contract there. I will always do my best as long as I play for that club. I feel good there,” he said.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side have an option to extend it until 2028. When asked about their willingness, Ayari explained: “What you say, that they have an option to extend.”
The player said “no” when asked whether he’s talked about a deadline over extending his contract.
No problems at Brighton for the Swede
In the summer window, there were reports linking him to AS Roma, Galatasaray, Borussia Dortmund and Fenerbahçe. On what would attract him, he said: “I don’t know”.
Yasin Ayari says he didn’t think about these links in the summer while he’s enjoying life at Brighton & Hove Albion.
He added: “I haven’t followed it that much. I was at the World Cup and after that it was just a matter of disconnecting everything and I haven’t had much of an eye on it.”
“I enjoy Brighton. We are going strong right now and I am happy to come to training and play for that club, so there is no problem. I am happy in Brighton, that is the most important thing for me.”
At some point this season, Ayari and Brighton have to hold talks if they wish to extend their association beyond 2028.
