Brighton have knocked back a £7.5m bid from Rangers for winger Amario Cozier-Duberry, leaving the 21-year-old's future unresolved as the summer window builds momentum.
What the offer would have meant for Rangers
The figure is significant in Scottish football context. Had it gone through, it would have been Rangers' second-highest transfer fee in more than two decades — the club's current record spend stands at £8m, paid for forward Youssef Chermiti last summer. Before that, you have to go back to the early 2000s and the signings of Michael Ball and Tore Andre Flo to find larger outlays from Ibrox. Committing that sort of money reflects genuine need: Rangers are currently in the Conference League play-offs after losing to Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok in Europa League qualifying, and manager Derek McInnes — who joined from Hearts this summer — has publicly stated his squad requires reinforcement, particularly at full-back and in wide areas. The situation has been complicated further by Chermiti suffering an ACL injury.
Cozier-Duberry's situation at Brighton
Brighton signed Cozier-Duberry from Arsenal's academy and he remains under contract at the Amex Stadium, with under two years left to run on that deal. Last season he spent the campaign on loan at Bolton, contributing eight goals and 12 assists in 34 League One appearances as Bolton won the play-offs — form that earned him a place in the League One team of the season. Those numbers (20 direct goal involvements in 34 games is a strong return for a wide player at that level) give Brighton reasonable grounds for holding firm on valuation.
Under Fabian Hurzeler, Cozier-Duberry has been involved in pre-season, though he was an unused substitute in Brighton's 1-0 home win over Bologna on Saturday. That peripheral role will add fuel to speculation, but the club's decision to reject Rangers' bid signals they are not willing to sell cheaply.
What happens next
Permanent interest from Rangers is one strand of the story; the other is a potential loan. Championship clubs are understood to be monitoring Cozier-Duberry, and given the step up in level from League One that route could appeal to Brighton as a development option — keeping him on their books while he gains experience in a higher division. The market will be watching Brighton's next move carefully, especially with the contract clock ticking.
- Age: 21
- 2024-25 loan record (Bolton): 8 goals, 12 assists in 34 League One appearances
- Rangers' bid: £7.5m — would have been their second-highest fee in 20+ years
- Contract remaining: Under two years at Brighton
For now, Brighton hold the cards. But with limited contract length and a player not yet in their starting XI, the situation is unlikely to stay static for long.
Frequently asked
- How much did Rangers bid for Cozier-Duberry?
- Rangers submitted a £7.5m bid for Amario Cozier-Duberry, which Brighton rejected. It would have been the Scottish club's second-highest transfer fee in more than 20 years.
- What league did Cozier-Duberry play in last season?
- Cozier-Duberry spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One, scoring eight goals and registering 12 assists in 34 appearances as Bolton won the play-offs.
- Could Cozier-Duberry join a Championship club on loan?
- Yes, it is reported that Championship clubs have interest in taking Cozier-Duberry on loan. Brighton have not ruled out that route, even after rejecting Rangers' permanent bid.