Ibrahim Osman made a strong impression for Brighton in their first pre-season friendly, scoring a spectacular overhead kick and providing an assist in a 4-1 win over League One side Wycombe Wanderers. The performance will have caught the attention of Birmingham City manager Chris Davies, who has expressed a desire to bring the winger back to St Andrew's after his successful loan spell last season.
Osman's Impact at Brighton
Operating on the right wing, Osman was involved in two goals within ten minutes during the first half at Brighton's training ground in Lancing. In the 25th minute, he produced a low cross that allowed Babis Kostoulas to tap in for a simple finish. Ten minutes later, Osman showcased his athleticism with an acrobatic overhead kick from Sean Keogh's cross, beating Wycombe goalkeeper Matt Macey.
Brighton made 11 changes at halftime, with Amario Cozier-Duberry replacing Osman, but the Ghanaian had already made a statement with his two goal contributions. The 21-year-old started in a strong lineup that included new signing Pascal Struijk from Leeds, Danny Welbeck, Yakuba Minteh, and Carlos Baleba.
Davies' Interest in Osman
Chris Davies has been keen on bringing Osman back to Birmingham City since last season. The Blues boss was impressed by the winger's pace and power during his half-season loan, where he scored two goals and provided two assists in 18 appearances. However, there was a perception that Osman's end product could have been better, as he often got into promising positions but failed to deliver.
Davies' desire to re-sign Osman was apparent even before the end of last season, and Birmingham have been in dialogue with Brighton over a potential deal. However, Osman's impressive performance in pre-season could solidify Brighton's valuation, potentially widening the gap between the clubs' respective valuations.
What's Next for Osman
Brighton paid a reported £16 million for Osman in 2024, and his latest display suggests he could be a key asset for the Premier League side. Birmingham City will need to decide whether to pursue a deal, with rival suitors also likely to be monitoring the situation. The Blues face a challenge in matching Brighton's expectations, but Davies remains hopeful of securing Osman's services for the upcoming season.
