---
title: "Brighton: Seagulls refuse to agree to permanent departure of forward"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/brighton-seagulls-refuse-to-agree-to-permanent-departure-of-forward/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Tommy Joyce"
section: "Brighton & Hove Albion"
published: "2019-07-25T13:45:11Z"
modified: "2020-04-05T10:28:21Z"
---

# Brighton: Seagulls refuse to agree to permanent departure of forward

**Brighton will not be** **allowing South African forward Percy Tau leave the club on a full-time basis, according to [reports](https://www.insidefutbol.com/2019/07/23/brighton-loaning-25-year-old-to-belgian-giants-wont-agree-to-purchase-option/430472/) from RMC via Inside Futbol.**

[![Football Writers' Association: Opening the Door to BAME Journalists](https://cdn.footballleagueworld.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FWA-Inblogs-Ad-mob-1.png)](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/football-writers-association-opening-the-door-to-bame-journalists-tickets-64426612733)

The 25-year-old has allegedly agreed a move to Club Brugge due to him not being able to secure a work permit in England.

Tau joined the club last summer, but has not been able to represent the club due to visa issues. Subsequently, he spent last season on loan at Union SG in the Belgian second-tier – a club which is [also owned](https://www.insidefutbol.com/2019/07/23/brighton-loaning-25-year-old-to-belgian-giants-wont-agree-to-purchase-option/430472/) by Brighton owner Tony Bloom.

His [13 goals and 13 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.com/percy-tau/leistungsdaten/spieler/312239/plus/0?saison=2018) in for the club last season was enough to attract interest from the Belgian Jupiler League runners-up Club Brugge. The club were interested in signing him permanently, but French radio station RMC claims that a loan deal has been agreed.

It is claimed that the switch will be made official once Tau’s visa arrives.

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

Brighton are not giving up hope on Tau by not agreeing a permanent deal for the South African.

By allowing him on loan to Belgium, he is able to carry on playing while working towards gaining citizenship – so it makes sense for him to stay and develop on the continent.

Even if Tau is unable to secure a visa in England once his loan expires at Club Brugge, his value could increase if he performs at the top level in Belgium.

In a scout [report](https://grandstandview.co.za/the-talent-scout/wunderkind-watching-presenting-the-paramount-percy-tau/) from the Grand Stand View from his time playing in South Africa, Tau is described as a ‘one in a generation calibre player’. It suggests that the forward has immense speed and trickery and a “breathtaking ability to weave magic with the football at his feet”.

It’s clear he is rated very highly within this report, and could add something Brighton don’t necessarily have in an unpredictable winger who can potentially be a potent goal threat, with the player in question bagging 13 times last year.

Indeed, Brighton’s wingers contributed very few goals last season in the league last season, with Anthony Knockaert – who has now [departed the club](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49065983) for Fulham – scoring twice and Jurgen Locadia getting as many. With only four goals coming from their wide men, then adding goals from width may be something Potter will surely be looking to improve on.

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

The 25-year-old has a good opportunity to join a team competing at the highest level, as they will potentially play in the Champions League next season after [finishing second](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-brugge/platzierungen/verein/2282). The forward proved he could do it in the second division last year so it will be a big step up for the South African.

***What does the future hold for Tau? Join the discussion by commenting below…***