Brighton reject £7.5m bid from Rangers for Cozier-Duberry

Brighton have declined a substantial £7.5 million offer from Rangers for winger Amario Cozier-Duberry. The 21-year-old showcased his potential during a successful loan spell at Bolton last season, contributing eight goals and 12 assists in 34 games and earning recognition in the League One team of the season. With less than two years remaining on his contract at Amex Stadium, Cozier-Duberry has been an active participant in Brighton's pre-season training but was a benchwarmer for the 1-0 home victory against Bologna on Saturday.

Interest from Championship clubs regarding a potential loan move is still present, while Rangers are among several teams believed to be keen on signing him permanently. This bid would have been Rangers' second-largest transfer fee in over two decades, following their £8 million acquisition of forward Youssef Chermiti last summer and the larger fees paid for Michael Ball and Tore Andre Flo in the early 2000s.

Rangers ended their four-game winless streak at the beginning of the season with a 5-1 victory over St Mirren in the Scottish Cup on Sunday, but they are now out of the Europa League after losing to Polish club Jagiellonia Białystok and have progressed to the Conference League play-offs. Manager Derek McInnes, who joined from Hearts in the summer, acknowledged the need for reinforcements, particularly focusing on defense and wide areas, following the loss of an experienced player like Chermiti due to an ACL injury.