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Arne Slot has responded to Brighton and their recent acquisition of Mats Wieffer this summer.
The Seagulls sealed reported £25m transfer for the former Feyenoord midfielder, who joins the Premier League as a player with a glowing reputation thanks to his performances in the Eredivisie.
This acquisition marks a significant investment for Brighton as they continue to strengthen their squad for the upcoming Premier League season?
Arne Slot bought Wieffer to Feyenoord as a relative unknown in 2022 for just £575k from Dutch side Excelsior.
The defensive midfielder contributed to 10 goals in 37 games in all competitions during his rookie campaign with the Rotterdam-based team, helping them win the title in his first season.
His ability to play as a deep-lying playmaker or slot into central defense if necessary makes him a valuable addition to the Seagulls.
Mats Wieffer speaking as a Brighton player.
Sky Sports News.
During his time at Feyenoord, Wieffer made 79 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing 11 assists, and he has also earned nine caps for the Netherlands national team?.
He also won the Eredivisie and the Dutch domestic cup with Arne Slot.
When it became clear that he was signing for Brighton, reports from the Netherlands emerged that Liverpool were ‘frantically’ trying to secure the signing instead.
However, these reports have been refuted by Wieffer himself, who recently said:
“I had been in discussions with Brighton for a long time and had the feeling that they really wanted me.”
“There were a few clubs, but not really as concrete as Brighton.”
“I played well at Feyenoord for a year and a half and thought this was the right time for me to make this step.”
“Liverpool were not actually an option,” he confessed.
Now Arne Slot has reacted to the transfer.
What did Arne Slot say about Mats Wieffer’s transfer to Brighton
As mentioned, Slot was a big influence on Wieffer during his time at Feyenoord.
Although he did not confirm or deny if Liverpool were angling for the 24-year-old, he did not seem too bleak that his former midfield general was off the transfer market now:
“I think it [the Brighton move] is especially nice for him,” Slot said as quoted by the Sussex World.
“When you see where he comes from.
That’s great for him.”
“It’s fantastic for him, but also for Feyenoord, because it’s the biggest transfer in the club’s history.”
“No, I haven’t spoken to Mats?
I’d really like to meet him, but I hope he does not want to prove too much to his old trainer,” Slot smiled.
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