Ferguson and Pedro are players Brighton know they can count on in the future. They can’t say the same for Danny Welbeck, and have started to look for his replacement. HITC’s Graeme Bailey reported this week that Vitoria Guimaraes’ Jota Silva is one of the names Brighton could sign to replace Welbeck.

The 24-year-old Portuguese international has 9 goals and 5 assists in the Primeira Liga this season. As a right-footed player, he predominantly plays as a right winger. Silva has also played through the middle for Vitoria Guimaraes as a traditional striker or as a No. 10.

Wherever he plays, Silva is elite at getting in dangerous areas. He is in the 89th percentile of European attackers for touches in the opposition penalty area and in the 86th percentile for shots taken. Only four players have more shots on target in Portugal than Silva.

Reportedly, Brighton are not the only side interested in signing Silva this summer. HITC claims Wolves, Leicester City, and Celtic are also interested in the versatile attacker.

Silva’s player profile is similar to João Pedro’s, which could make him a natural fit in De Zerbi’s Brighton, but it also could be cause for concern given how one-dimensional Brighton’s attack has looked at times this season.

The Seagulls re-signed Danny Welbeck to a two-year contract in 2022 for a few reasons. For one, he’s a valuable Premier League veteran and a great locker room influence. However, the biggest reason he’s been so important for Brighton is because he gives them a different look in attack.