The seagulls took flight. In the past, the Brighton Seagulls were not necessarily renowned for selling their best players at full price. Ten years ago, during the 2013-14 financial year, the English team had collected €5.2 million thanks to the departures of Liam Bridcutt, Stephen Dobbie and Ashley Barnes. But it was the following season, in 2014-15, that Brighton made their first big sale.
Indeed, Leonardo Ulloa had brought in € 10.1 million following his transfer to Leicester City. This had made it possible to end the summer with just over €13 million collected thanks to all the sales. A few years later, in 2020-21, the British club broke its sales record thanks to Anthony Knockaert, who left for Fulham for €11.7m. The Seagulls had collected € 20.6 million thanks to all the transfers made during this transfer window.
Record sales follow one another
But this record has been broken several times since. From the following season in 2021-22, Brighton pocketed €78.5m, in particular thanks to the sales of Ben White to Arsenal (€58.5m) and Dan Burn to Newcastle (€15m). In 2022-23, an additional €137.9 million entered the club’s coffers. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea, €65.3m), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham, €29.2m), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal, €24m) and Neal Maupay (Everton, €11m) sold very well. The same goes for former coach Graham Potter, for whom Chelsea had to pay €17m to be released from his lease at Brigthon.
And what about this fiscal year 2023-24. This summer, Brighton continue to sell their talents at gold prices. In addition to Michal Karbownik (Hertha Berlin, €2.5m), Reda Khadra (Reims, €1.9m), Aaron Connolly (Hull City, €1.35m) and Deniz Undav (Stuttgart, paying loan of €700,000 ), Alexis Mac Allister joined Liverpool for €42m. Robert Sanchez cost Chelsea €23 million. A club that broke the bank yesterday to afford Moisés Caicedo. The Blues signed a check for €133m. A record sale for Brighton which made a huge capital gain.
Great added value
Indeed, the Ecuadorian midfielder had been bought for just under €5 million in 2021 from Independiente del Valle. The Seagulls have made a capital gain of €128 million thanks to him, even if we imagine that a sum will go to his former club. The English have often managed to sell well. Cucurella, bought for €18 million, made it possible to earn €45.5 million. The same for Bissouma, purchased for €16.9 million, made it possible to realize a capital gain of €12.3 million.
All of these investments have paid off big. This summer, they have already received €204.45 million. Part, i.e. €74.2m, has already been invested to recruit João Pedro (€34.2m), Bart Verbruggen (€20m), Igor (€17m) and Adrian Mazilu (€3m). It should also be noted that the Premier League team has recovered James Milner (ex-Liverpool) and Mahmoud Dahoud (ex-BVB) for free. A real cash machine, Brighton continues to hit the jackpot transfer window after transfer window, while progressing in the standings (6th last season).
