---
title: "Brighton & Hove Albion: Seagulls and Leeds set to battle for signing of Jhon Chancellor"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/brighton-leeds-transfer-battle-jhon-chancellor/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Brighton & Hove Albion"
published: "2020-09-04T12:30:47Z"
modified: "2020-09-04T12:30:47Z"
---

# Brighton & Hove Albion: Seagulls and Leeds set to battle for signing of Jhon Chancellor

**Brighton and Leeds are set to renew a now-familiar transfer rivalry in the race to sign defender Jhon Chancellor.**

The print edition of Italian newspaper [Tuttosport](https://tuttosport.com/) claimed \[via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/leeds-united-brighton-following-venezuelan-defender-e4-5m-transfer/)\] that Brescia, relegated from Serie A last season, could cash in on the centre-back, for whom they are hoping to receive between €4m (£3.57m) and €5m (£4.46m). Both Premier League sides are interested in the 28-year-old, although neither is believed to have made an offer for him so far.

Brighton have already managed to ward off three bids from Leeds, the [highest of which was £25m](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11741/12060405/ben-white-brighton-defender-close-to-agreeing-improved-new-contract), for [Ben White](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/brighton-news/brighton-ben-white-set-to-agree-new-contract/), who has [signed a new contract](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/12061142/ben-white-brighton-defender-agrees-four-year-contract-amid-leeds-interest) at the Amex Stadium, while both clubs are believed to be vying for Brentford’s left-back Rico Henry along with Aston Villa (as per [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/12527549/rico-henry-brighton-transfer-brentford-leeds-aston-villa/amp/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=sunfootballtwitter&utm_source=Twitter)).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Chancellor, who has been capped [17 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jhon-chancellor/nationalmannschaft/spieler/213614/verein_id/3504) by Venezuela, chipped in with a decent tally of [three goals in 27 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jhon-chancellor/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/213614) from centre-back for Brescia last season but was unable to prevent them from dropping into Serie B.

The giant defender, standing [1.98m](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/96526/Show/Jhon-Chancellor) (6 ft 7) tall, is unsurprisingly strong in the air, winning [2.4 aerial duels](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/96526/Show/Jhon-Chancellor) per game, while a match average of [5.4 clearances](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/96526/Show/Jhon-Chancellor) hints at a no-nonsense approach to defending. He is also tidy in possession, finding a team-mate with [86%](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/96526/Show/Jhon-Chancellor) of his passes – only Lewis Dunk with 87% had a higher passing success rate at Brighton in 2019/20 (as per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/211/Show/England-Brighton)).

\[freshpress-quiz id=”306835″\]

However, whether the Seagulls really need Chancellor is a matter for debate, as Graham Potter already has [five centre-backs in his squad](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/kadernachposition/verein/1237), and that is after sanctioning the [loan exit of Shane Duffy](https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/1803181/duffy-joins-celtic) to Celtic this week.

Also, [unlike Dan Burn and Adam Webster](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/kadernachposition/verein/1237), the Venezuelan has no experience of switching to a full-back role if needed, operating solely at the centre of defence during his career (as per [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jhon-chancellor/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/213614)).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Brighton appear to have a lot more to gain than to lose from their reported pursuit of Chancellor. If they aren’t able to land him, Potter has the comfort of knowing that he is well-stocked for centre-back options.

\[freshpress-poll id=”317079″\]

If they can bring him to the Amex, though, he would add a towering defensive presence who rarely wastes possession and who can be picked up for a modest transfer fee.

***Brighton fans, how sweet would it be to beat Leeds in the race for Chancellor? Is he a player that the Seagulls need? Join in the discussion by commenting below!***