Liverpool tracking Maxim De Cuyper as Brighton set £50m January transfer stance

Liverpool are among the clubs monitoring Brighton defender Maxim De Cuyper, with the Seagulls making it clear a mid-season deal would be extremely difficult and expensive to complete. According to TeamTalk, Brighton have placed a valuation of around £50m on the Belgian and have no intention of sanctioning a sale in January.

The 25-year-old has quickly become one of the more closely watched wide players in the Premier League after an excellent start to life on the south coast. Signed from Club Brugge in summer 2025 for €20m, quoted in the original report as £17m, De Cuyper has already delivered strong output and tactical flexibility, two traits that naturally attract elite-level interest.

As the report states, Liverpool are “one of multiple European clubs currently monitoring the Seagulls’ left-sided star”, with the player’s development under Fabian Hurzeler prompting wider attention across the market. AC Milan, Roma, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are all said to be watching the situation, although the current indication is that this remains at an exploratory stage.

Maxim De Cuyper emerging as Liverpool transfer target

De Cuyper is a left-back by trade, though his role has evolved this season. The report notes that he has “benefited from being pushed further forward in Hurzeler’s side” and that he has registered “an impressive five G/A (two scored, three assists) to his name from 10 appearances in the Premier League this season”. For clubs looking for a modern left-sided option, that blend of defensive grounding and attacking return is highly attractive.

Liverpool’s interest also makes sense in the context of squad planning. TeamTalk say the club are “also among the big clubs circling”, while adding that the Reds are “in desperate need of left-back reinforcements heading into 2027 amid doubts over Milos Kerkez’s form and with Kostas Tsimikas likely to leave as a free agent”. That is a strong framing, and one that places De Cuyper firmly into the conversation around Liverpool’s next move in that area of the pitch.

Photo: IMAGO

At this point, there is no suggestion of advanced talks. The report makes clear there are “no indications that formal interest is being declared, or that agent negotiations have begun at this point”. That matters. Monitoring a player and moving decisively for him are very different stages, particularly when the selling club hold such a strong contractual position.

Brighton transfer stance clear over January sale

Brighton’s position is straightforward. They are “understood to have no desire to sell De Cuyper during the January transfer window” and have attached a significant price to any future discussion. The figure mentioned is “in the region of €60m (£50m, $66m)”.

That number is substantial, yet it reflects more than recent form. De Cuyper is under contract until June 2030, and Brighton are enjoying a highly competitive campaign domestically while also targeting a strong run in Europe. In those circumstances, there is little pressure on them to compromise.

The report also underlines a broader shift in how Brighton are perceived. “Unlike their perhaps stance as being seen as a selling club, Tony Bloom and Co are very keen to back their manager and do not want to lose key players with a place in the Champions League in their sights.” That line feels significant. It reinforces the sense that Brighton are acting from a position of confidence, not one of necessity.

Milan’s interest is worth watching too. The Italian side were “strongly interested in De Cuyper as a potential long-term replacement for Theo Hernández” in summer 2025, only for the player to opt for Brighton. That previous admiration has clearly not gone away.

Liverpool, Brighton and De Cuyper situation points to summer decision

For now, this looks more like a situation to monitor than an imminent transfer battle. The report states, “For now, De Cuyper remains focused on his club and international duties with Belgium. Interest is likely to build, but Brighton’s firm stance and the size of any potential fee mean a move in the January window will be difficult.” That assessment feels fair.

Brighton have no need to rush, Liverpool have no clear route to a cut-price deal, and the list of interested clubs gives the selling side further leverage if the race intensifies in 2027. The strongest takeaway is that De Cuyper has put himself on the map as one of the most interesting left-sided players in the market, and that Liverpool are firmly aware of it.

The original report also mentions that Liverpool continue to track other Brighton talent, with Bart Verbruggen described as “a potential heir to Alisson Becker at Anfield”. For now, though, De Cuyper is the name drawing the immediate focus.

Our View

This is exactly the type of report that gets the mind racing, because De Cuyper sounds like the profile Liverpool should be checking closely. A left-sided player who can defend, get forward, produce numbers and operate in more than one role is always going to appeal, especially when the team needs fresh certainty in that part of the pitch.

The £50m price is huge, but Brighton were never going to make this easy. They recruit smartly, they develop players quickly and they sell from positions of strength. If De Cuyper has hit the ground running to this extent, then that valuation is their way of telling everyone to come back later, and come back properly.

There is also something encouraging in Liverpool being linked with a player like this early. It suggests the recruitment team are already thinking ahead under Andoni Iraola, identifying where athleticism, technical quality and tactical flexibility can be improved. Whether this one becomes serious now or later, the fit feels logical.

The biggest question is whether Liverpool see him as the priority option or one name on a wider list. At £50m, that distinction matters. If the club truly believe he can lock down the role for years, then the fee starts to look more understandable. If not, patience may be the smarter play while the market develops.

Either way, this is one to keep very close tabs on. Brighton’s stance is firm, but strong interest rarely fades when a player keeps performing at this level.