Chris Hughton says Brighton are not looking to sign more players in January
Monday 28 January 2019 09:47, UK
Chris Hughton said Brighton will not be looking to make any more signings in the January transfer window.
The Seagulls confirmed the arrival of Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister on Thursday from Argentinos Juniors, but have loaned the player back.
Brighton manager Hughton admitted that the transfer window can throw up surprises, but said he was pleased with the balance in his squad.
Asked about the prospect of more signings, Hughton said: "Probably in all honesty, no. We continue saying 'you never know' until it finishes because something could happen in that period of time.
"But we're very happy with the squad we've got and in particular players we bought last summer and last January, who have worked their way into the team.
"At the moment, I think we've got a good and very balanced squad, so I don't see any business, but as I say, you never know."
Brighton have spent $9m (£6.85m) this window on 20-year-old Mac Allister, but Hughton wants the player to continue playing in Argentina to continue his development and allow Brighton to assess him without throwing him into the first team.
Hughton admitted that moving to the Premier League would be a step up for Mac Allister, but said he had been impressed by the midfielder's footballing talent and level of maturity.
"The reason we've bought him is because of his abilities," said Hughton. "He's a technical player, a very mature player for his age, he's one that's playing and playing regularly.
"He's got a lot of flexibility in where he can play, in the midfield role, but very much a technical player.
"When you've got someone playing regularly at 20 years of age it always shows that added maturity.
"I met him a few days ago, he speaks limited English, but for someone of his age it shows a maturity and I think it's an exciting prospect for him, something to really push for."
Brighton travel to Craven Cottage on Tuesday to take on Claudio Ranieri's Fulham, who find themselves seven points from safety and with just three wins in the league all season, but Hughton is envisaging a difficult game.
"Their form hasn't gone how they would have liked, certainly with what they've brought in in the summer," said Hughton. "But that's the Premier League and the difficulties of playing in this league.
"What I've seen in Fulham are some good displays - their last performance at home to Tottenham was a performance that probably should have got them more than what was the result.
"They don't look like a team that has had a difficult season, which always makes it hard and for a club like us, going to Fulham at this stage, they're always very difficult games and we'll have to play at a good level because they have quality in the side, particularly offensively."
