Brighton were bitterly disappointed to miss out on first automatic promotion to the Premier League and then the Play-Off Final after losing to Sheffield Wednesday in the semi finals, in a game they should have won.

However, if Chris Hughton recruits as well as he did last summer then Brighton will be well equipped for another title challenge, but this time they will certainly be taken more seriously, and Derby manager Nigel Pearson will be drilling his team to keep the likes of Tomer Hemed and Jiri Skalak quiet.

Hughton will be keen to add a few new faces to the mix, especially in the defence where the likes of Bruno and Uwe Hunemeier getting on a bit.

With an absolutely crucial summer of transfer dealings ahead, here are THREE new signings that could star for Brighton in their first league match against Derby at the start of the 2016/17 season.....

 

Matt Phillips

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Naturally a winger but able to play up front, QPR's Matt Phillips looks to be on his way out of Loftus Road, and Brighton could be the perfect destination for the Scottish winger.

Anthony Knockaert was outstanding after arriving in January, and if they could bring in another top quality winger such as Phillips, Chris Hughton could have an excellent pairing.

Phillips' sublime pace could prove a problem for Derby's full backs come that first game of the season.

Nelson Semedo

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 The Portuguese full back is currently plying his trade in the Liga Portuguesa with Benfica, but a sum of around £6 million would most likely be enough to prise him away from the Portuguese side.

Quick and with an ability to cross from deep, Semedo could be the perfect replacement for right back Bruno, who, whilst still being a quality player, is past his best years, and only looks to have a couple more seasons in him.

Moritz Hartmann

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The Ingolstadt striker had an outstanding season in the Bundesliga last campaign, notching 12 goals in 30 games for the newly promoted side as they beat the drop against all odds.

Brighton could really do with a support striker to play alongside Tomer Hemed and relieve the pressure on his shoulders, and Hartmann could be this man.

The 30-year-old was the match winner in 7 games last season, which tells you all you need to know.