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Brighton and Hove Albion have reportedly reached a surprise agreement to re-sign midfielder Pascal Gross from Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The German international appears close to making a sensational return to the Premier League, only a year after ending his seven-year spell with the Seagulls to head back to Germany.

According to Romano, Brighton have finalised a permanent deal with Dortmund for the 34-year-old, with a medical test expected in the next 48 hours. The move marks a swift turnaround for Gross, who left the Amex Stadium in August 2024 to join his boyhood club for an initial £8 million (€9m/$11m).

This development follows Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler’s comments earlier in December, when he confirmed that the club’s management had been discussing possible reinforcements ahead of the January transfer window. “We have [had talks], definitely, because we have regular exchanges,” Hurzeler said before Brighton’s 2-1 defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal last weekend. “We always try to understand what’s best for the club and for the players. The transfer window will be open soon, so let’s see if we’ll be active.” When asked if he had specific positions in mind to strengthen, the coach remained tight-lipped, responding, “No, I won’t say.”

Reports from The Athletic indicate Brighton will pay slightly under €2m (£1.7m/$2.35m) for Gross, with an additional €1m in potential bonuses. The midfielder’s return would strengthen Brighton’s midfield as they look to turn around their form in the Premier League.

Gross enjoyed a productive season with Dortmund, making 49 appearances across all competitions and netting his only goal in a 3-0 Champions League victory over Sporting CP in February. He also registered four assists in a 6-0 win over Union Berlin in the Bundesliga that same month, becoming only the third player in German top-flight history to achieve such a feat in a single game.

During his previous spell with Brighton, Gross became a club legend after joining from Ingolstadt in 2017. Over seven seasons, he racked up 261 appearances and scored 30 Premier League goals, helping establish the team as a consistent top-flight side. His standout 2022-23 campaign saw him score nine league goals, guiding Brighton to a sixth-place finish and their first-ever qualification for European competition via the Europa League.

When Gross left for Dortmund, newly appointed manager Hurzeler expressed regret at not having the chance to work with him. “We were really sorry to lose Pascal, but we fully understood his situation,” Hurzeler said at the time. “It makes sense that he wanted to seize the opportunity to join one of Germany’s top clubs, and he left with our very best wishes.”

Gross, who has 16 caps for Germany, scored his only international goal in a friendly against Greece in June 2024 and represented his country at the 2024 European Championship on home soil.

In a farewell letter to Brighton fans after his move to Dortmund, Gross promised he would return one day. “There are so many people I would like to thank — the three coaches I played under (Chris Hughton, Graham Potter, and Roberto De Zerbi), Tony Bloom, Paul Barber, my teammates, and all the staff behind the scenes who make this club so special,” he wrote. “To the fans, thank you for your amazing support from day one. I’m sorry to be leaving, but I hope to say goodbye in person soon. The club means a lot to me and my family — I know I’ll be back someday, even if it’s just as a supporter.”

If the transfer is finalised, Gross will aim to make an immediate impact as Brighton look to climb the Premier League table. The Seagulls currently sit 14th, having gone six games without a win, including draws against West Ham United and Sunderland in December. Losses to Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Arsenal have added to their recent struggles. Brighton next face Burnley at home on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Niko Kovac’s Dortmund are currently second in the Bundesliga standings, trailing leaders Bayern Munich by nine points. Gross has featured in 11 of Dortmund’s 15 league matches this season.