Florin Andone is currently on loan with Galatasaray from Brighton (Getty Images)
As per Fanatik (h/t Brighton and Hove Independent), Brighton forward Florin Andone is set to return to AMEX Stadium after his loan spell ends with Galatasaray. The manager has stated that the Romanian would not have a future at the Turkish club.
Andone, 27, came through the youth ranks of CD Castellon’s youth system and played for several clubs including Deportivo la Coruna. After an impressive season in which he scored 12 La Liga goals, the Seagulls signed him in the summer of 2018.
However, he couldn’t meet the expectations in England’s top-flight and was sent on loan to Turkey with Galatasaray last summer. He has found it difficult to find regular game time there and seems to be on the decline. Thus, Brighton should look to offload the striker permanently.
Graham Potter’s men have been inconsistent throughout the campaign. They have won just one of their last 14 league games and are currently 15th in the league standings. Brighton’s defence has been shaky as they have conceded 40 goals so far.
Their attacking unit has done a decent job so far, scoring 38 goals in the season. Neal Maupay, Aaron Connolly and Glenn Murray are the three centre-forwards available at the manager’s disposal. Maupay has racked up 8 goals and 2 assists in 28 league games and looks set to continue for a long time.
Irish youngster Connolly, who got promoted to the Seagulls’ first-team only last summer, has also done a decent job for the team, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist. Murray has one more year left in his contract at AMEX Stadium.
In that regard, selling Andone in the summer would a wise decision by the club. The Romanian has never fulfilled his potential. In the past three years, he has not crossed double figures in terms of goals, which is the primary expectation for a centre-forward.
The Romania international seems to have lost his goalscoring touch and a loan move to Turkey has also not helped his cause. He has struggled with injuries and has seen limited game time, making just 8 league appearances. In the process, he has found the back of the net only twice so far.
With two budding youngsters, Maupay and Connolly, in their ranks, Brighton should not hold on to the former Villareal man. Keeping him at the club would also see them just waste their resources on a player who hasn’t been at his best. Thus, Brighton should offload Andone this summer.
