Rangers’ Bid for Brighton’s Amario Cozier-Duberry Declined Again
Rangers have faced another setback in their efforts to secure Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry, as the Seagulls rejected a recent offer of approximately £7 million, according to Fabrizio Romano. The ongoing situation remains dynamic, as several other clubs have shown interest, keeping negotiations lively as the transfer window enters a busier phase.
Romano’s recent update sheds light on Brighton’s firm stance regarding Cozier-Duberry. Despite Rangers’ second proposal, Brighton decided to maintain their position, particularly given the young talent’s recent success. The 21-year-old returned from a fruitful loan stint at Bolton Wanderers, where his performance significantly enhanced his market value.
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In the 2025/26 season, Cozier-Duberry achieved notable success in League One, making 37 appearances, scoring nine goals, and providing ten assists, alongside one goal in the EFL Cup. His impressive statistics earned him a place in the League One Team of the Season, which has attracted interest from clubs beyond Rangers.
T4O View: Rangers Should Avoid Another High Bid
Rangers are in need of quality attacks, especially following the collapse of Couhaib Driouech’s deal and Youssef Chermiti’s ACL injury. However, offering over £7.5 million for a player who has primarily played in League One is a risky move. This latest offer marks Rangers’ second-highest bid in over twenty years, making any additional increase a potential financial gamble.
BRADFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Amario Cozier-Duberry of Bolton Wanderers looks on during the Sky Bet League One Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg match between Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers at University of Bradford Stadium on May 14, 2026 in Bradford, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
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Furthermore, the recent loss to Jagiellonia Białystok has resulted in a drop into the Conference League play-offs, complicating the club’s European income prospects. With pressing issues in defense that also require addressing, spending significantly on a developing winger might jeopardize the overall squad balance.
A More Strategic Approach for Rangers
A loan deal for a season with an option to purchase around £8.5 million would be a more sensible approach. Such a strategy could include performance-based incentives and a 15% sell-on clause, allowing Rangers to evaluate Cozier-Duberry’s capability at a higher level without exhausting their summer budget immediately.
Brighton, however, appears in a position to be patient, as interest in Cozier-Duberry has emerged from Championship and clubs in Belgium and Austria. Rangers should therefore consider keeping their maximum offer around the recently declined figure. If Brighton insists on a guaranteed fee exceeding £9 million or £10 million, it may be prudent for Rangers to withdraw, safeguarding the budget necessary for their title ambitions, especially as Celtic continues to set the standard in domestic competition. This cautious approach is crucial as Rangers navigate potential pitfalls in their squad depth while pursuing their domestic title challenge.
Rangers’ second attempt to sign Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry has failed, with the Seagulls rejecting an offer worth around £7m, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report adds that several other clubs have registered interest, leaving talks open as the transfer window moves into another busy stage.
Romano’s update gives Rangers a clear indication of Brighton‘s stance. The Scottish club have already tested the market with a second proposal, yet Brighton have chosen to hold firm despite the sizeable fee. That decision is important because the 21-year-old has returned from a productive loan at Bolton Wanderers, where his attacking output has pushed his stock higher.
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During 2025/26, Cozier-Duberry made 37 League One appearances, scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists, while he added a goal in the EFL Cup. Those numbers helped him earn League One Team of the Season recognition, and his form created genuine interest beyond Ibrox.
T4O take: Why Rangers should resist another big bid
Rangers need attacking quality, especially after Couhaib Driouech’s move collapsed and Youssef Chermiti suffered an ACL injury. Even so, paying more than £7.5m for a player whose senior breakthrough came in League One would leave little room for errors. Rangers have already made this their second-highest bid in more than two decades, so another jump would pose serious financial risk.
BRADFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Amario Cozier-Duberry of Bolton Wanderers looks on during the Sky Bet League One Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg match between Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers at University of Bradford Stadium on May 14, 2026 in Bradford, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
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There is another issue. The club dropped into the Conference League play-offs after losing to Jagiellonia Białystok, which makes future European income less certain. Meanwhile, defensive gaps still need attention, and spending eight figures on one developing winger could weaken the wider squad.
Rangers have a smarter route
A season-long loan with an option to buy around £8.5m would make far more sense, particularly with performance-based additions and a 15% sell-on clause. That structure would let Rangers test the player at a higher level without committing the entire summer budget immediately.
Brighton, however, can wait because competition has emerged from Championship, Belgian and Austrian clubs. Rangers should therefore keep their ceiling near the rejected figure. If Brighton demand a guaranteed sale above £9m or £10m, walking away would protect the budget needed for the title race, especially with Celtic still setting the domestic standard. That caution is significant because Rangers cannot afford to solve one attacking problem while creating a deeper squad problem elsewhere, or damaging their domestic title challenge against Celtic.
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