The Blues are facing a potential setback as Brighton close in on Greece striker despite Chelsea’s interest.
Chelsea may be set to miss out on highly rated Olympiacos striker Charalampos Kostoulas, with reports suggesting that Brighton are now leading the race for his signature.
The Blues have already kicked off their summer business by bringing in Liam Delap as their first signing, and more new arrivals are expected to follow the 22-year-old through the doors at Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.
Abud Omar and William Lenkupae shone brightest in a defensively solid but goalless outing for Harambee Stars against Chad.
The discussions between Olympiakos and various European clubs regarding Babis Kostoulas’s transfer have been ongoing for several days. The young striker’s impressive season has attracted attention from several European teams.
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Chelsea could miss out on Charalampos Kostoulas
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Brighton currently appears to be the frontrunner, but this wasn’t always the case.
Initially, Kostoulas was not keen on a move to Brighton and despite that they are a Premier League team, they have not qualified for any UEFA competitions this season, finishing 8th in the league.
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Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy watched his side waste a number of opportunities to draw against Chad in their friendly match in Marrakech, Morocco on Saturday.
In contrast, Olympiakos will be competing in the Champions League group stage next season, Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
However, Kostoulas’s stance shifted after direct contact with Brighton, and he has now verbally agreed to terms. All that remains is Olympiakos’s approval.
Kostoulas’s representative traveled to England to meet with Brighton, facilitating further discussions between the player and the club.
Brighton: A Stepping Stone
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Charalampos Kostoulas Chelsea?
Kostoulas was impressed by Brighton’s proposal. They outlined their plans for him, despite his young age, and explained the club’s operating model in recent years.
Brighton is known for investing in young talent, using the Premier League as a platform for them to develop and potentially secure larger transfers to bigger clubs, either within England or elsewhere in Europe.
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Kenya’s preparations for co-hosting AFCON 2027 face a major setback after the government excluded the critical hosting rights fee from the 2025/26 budget, amid a funding cut to the sports department.
This plan appealed to Kostoulas, leading him to give the green light for the transfer. While Olympiakos’s Champions League participation was a significant factor, the allure of the Premier League and Brighton’s vision ultimately swayed him.
