West Ham United in Strong Position to Sign Amario Cozier-Duberry as Transfer Race Intensifies…

West Ham United in Strong Position to Sign Amario Cozier-Duberry as Transfer Race Intensifies

West Ham United are reportedly in a strong position to secure the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion winger Amario Cozier-Duberry, with the Championship club emerging as one of the leading contenders for the highly rated 21-year-old.

 

Cozier-Duberry has attracted considerable attention following an impressive loan spell at Bolton Wanderers during the 2025/26 campaign. His performances helped Bolton secure promotion from League One, while the winger established himself as one of the standout young attacking players in the division. He finished the campaign with 10 goals and 13 assists, figures that have naturally increased interest in his future.

 

West Ham’s interest is not entirely new. The Hammers have been linked with the former Arsenal academy player for much of the summer, and recent reports suggest that their pursuit has gathered momentum. Brighton are believed to be demanding around £10 million for the winger, while Rangers have already seen a reported £7.5 million offer rejected.

 

That asking price could prove significant in determining where Cozier-Duberry plays this season. With West Ham now operating in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League, the club are looking to strengthen their attacking options and build a squad capable of competing for an immediate return to the top flight.

 

Cozier-Duberry’s profile makes him an attractive option. The winger possesses pace, directness and the ability to operate in one-on-one situations, while his improved end product at Bolton demonstrated that he can contribute goals as well as assists. His development during his time at Bolton has reportedly convinced several clubs that he is ready for another step forward.

 

Interestingly, West Ham are not the only club monitoring the situation. Rangers have been pursuing the player, while Wolves and other Championship sides have also been linked with a move. Reports have suggested that Brighton would prefer another loan arrangement, although the growing level of interest could potentially encourage the Seagulls to consider a permanent transfer if their valuation is met.

 

For West Ham, the situation could represent an opportunity to add a young player with significant upside without necessarily committing to the huge transfer fees associated with established attackers.

 

The club’s need for attacking reinforcements has become increasingly obvious following their difficult transfer window. West Ham recently missed out on Troy Parrott after negotiations with AZ Alkmaar broke down, with reports indicating that the Hammers could not meet the Dutch club’s valuation. They subsequently brought in Joel Piroe on loan from Leeds United.

 

Cozier-Duberry could therefore provide another option in an attack that needs greater pace and creativity. His ability to play from wide positions could give manager Nuno Espirito Santo another attacking weapon, particularly in a Championship campaign where breaking down deep defensive blocks can be difficult.

 

There is also a longer-term argument behind the potential move. At just 21, Cozier-Duberry still has plenty of room to develop, and regular first-team football could accelerate his progress. His previous experience at Blackburn Rovers was difficult, but his dramatically improved spell at Bolton showed that he can respond positively to the right environment.

 

For Brighton, however, the decision will not be straightforward. The club invested in Cozier-Duberry’s development after he left Arsenal in 2024, and he has yet to make a competitive first-team appearance for the Seagulls. His performances at Bolton have now placed him in a much stronger position, meaning Brighton must decide whether to cash in on his rising value or give him another opportunity to develop through a loan spell.

 

The latest reports indicate that West Ham are well placed financially to meet Brighton’s demands, which could give them an advantage over some of their rivals.

 

Nothing has been completed yet, and the presence of multiple interested clubs means the situation could change quickly. Nevertheless, West Ham’s position appears increasingly encouraging.

 

If the Hammers can reach an agreement with Brighton, Cozier-Duberry could become one of the most intriguing young additions to their squad. After proving himself in League One, the next challenge would be to demonstrate that he can consistently perform at Championship level—and potentially help West Ham achieve their ultimate objective of returning to the Premier League at the first attempt.