Brighton's 10 biggest sales of all time
Jacque Talbot
- Updated: 14 Aug 2023 13:06 CDT
- 7 min read
Brighton have been recently crowned as the transfer kings when it comes to extracting the most value for their players.
The south coast club typically find gems in the lower leagues across the world, before seeing them grow to Premier League stars.
Typically the club sell on for a premium, but with their first European spot secured in 2022/23 season, it means that their philosophy of being a selling club may end soon.
MORE: Tottenham's 10 biggest sales of all time
However, given the talent at their disposal and the money brought in through Europa League, Tony Bloom continues to demand huge fees for their stars - as seen by Chelsea and Liverpool's pursuit of Moises Caicedo.
FootballTransfers takes a look at the Seagulls' 10 biggest sales to date.
MORE: Leipzig's 10 biggest sales of all time
10. Anthony Knockaert - €11.7m (Fulham, 2020)
Anthony Knockaert was one of the Championship's most dangerous players during his stint at Brighton and even won the division's 'Player of the Year' award in 2016/17 as Chris Hughton's men were promoted to the Premier League. He netted 15 goals and provided nine assists that year.
He struggled to make the step up to top flight football and was loaned to Fulham in 2019.
That move then became permanent the following summer, but was unable to replicate his previous Championship form and was subsequently loaned out to Nottingham Forest, Greek side Volos, and Huddersfield Town.
9. Neal Maupay - €11.8m (Everton, 2022)
Neal Maupay came up clutch with several big goals for Brighton - including the famous winner against Arsenal during lockdown and his late equaliser against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in 2021.
However, he frequently underperformed his expected goals tally and was sold to Everton in 2022 following the purchase of Denis Undav.
However, the attacker scored just a single goal in 27 games during his debut Everton campaign as the club battled with relegation.
8. Dan Burn - €15m (Newcastle, 2022)
Dan Burn was a solid contributor at Brighton, with the versatile defender playing occasionally at centre-back, his more natural position, but mostly at left-back thanks to the presence of Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster.
His height helped the Seagulls' ability to defend set pieces, while his ability on the ball was a key reason why Graham Potter trusted him so frequently.
However, when his boyhood club Newcastle came knocking in January 2022, he couldn't turn the move down.
The Geordie quickly announced himself as a key member of Eddie Howe's side and he played a key role - at left-back once again - in their top four finish during the 2022-23 season.
7. Robert Sanchez - €23m (Chelsea, 2023)
Robert Sanchez was an unknown name when he displaced Mat Ryan as Brighton's number one under Graham Potter, following loan spells at Forest Green Rovers and Rochdale, but he soon became a well-known Premier League goalkeeper with his performances on the south coast.
He gained international recognition from Spain - making his senior debut in 2021 - and was included in their 2022 World Cup squad, although he did not feature.
However, the Spaniard was dropped by Roberto De Zerbi towards the end of the 2022-23 campaign, with Jason Steele brought in due to his superior ball-playing ability.
The summer addition of talented young shot-stopper Bart Verbruggen pushed Sanchez down to third place in the pecking order and he left the club for €23m in August 2023 to compete for the number one jersey at Chelsea.
6. Leandro Trossard - €24m (Arsenal, 2023)
Leandro Trossard was Brighton's best attacking asset from the moment he arrived through the door in 2019 and he ended the 2021-22 season as the club's top scorer in the Premier League with eight goals.
He started the 2022-23 campaign in even better form, netting a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw away to Liverpool in De Zerbi's first game, and ending the first half of the season with seven goals and three assists.
That form prompted Arsenal to spend €24m on him in January 2023 after missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk. The Belgian was a back-up option to Gabriel Martinelli, but he registered one goal and 10 assists in 20 league appearances for the Gunners, most of which came as a substitute.
5. Yves Bissouma - €29.2m (Tottenham, 2022)
Yves Bissouma wasn't initially trusted by Chris Hughton when he arrived from Lille, with the experienced pairing of Davy Propper and Dale Stephens preferred, but he soon established himself as one of the best midfielders in England under Graham Potter.
The Mali international attracted interest from several big teams on the continent, but it was Tottenham who landed him in 2022, spending nearly €30m to acquire his services.
He suffered a disappointing first campaign in north London, but looks well placed to enjoy an upturn of form under new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
4. Alexis Mac Allister - €42m (Liverpool, 2023)
Alexis Mac Allister earned plenty of plaudits at Argentinos Juniors and Brighton's brilliant use of the South American market saw them steal a march on the competition and sign the midfielder for just €8m in January 2019.
It wasn't for another 12 months that he made his Brighton debut, however, after two loan spells in his homeland, and Mac Allister found it difficult to find a home under Potter.
He played on the left, behind a striker and in deeper midfield roles, but wasn't able to establish himself as a first-choice regular. However, that changed in the 2021-22 season when he became a key contributor at Brighton.
Mac Allister soon evolved into a key player for Argentina and he played a pivotal role in their 2022 World Cup triumph. He joined Liverpool after a brilliant final year at Brighton.
3. Ben White - €58.5m (Arsenal, 2021)
Ben White came through the Brighton academy, but made his name on loan at Leeds United. In fact, his form at Elland Road earned reports of a potential England call-up, despite the fact he was playing in the Championship.
After just one year at Brighton, in which he played at centre-back, right-back and central midfield in almost equal measure, White joined Arsenal for nearly €60m in 2021.
He initially played at the heart of defence, and endured a tricky time during his first campaign. However, Mikel Arteta converted him into a full-time right-back in 2022 and White starred with the protection of William Saliba next to him.
2. Marc Cucurella - €65.3m (Chelsea, 2022)
Just like White, Marc Cucurella only played one full season of football at Brighton before Chelsea and Manchester City were linked with a move after his 'Player of the Year' campaign on the south coast.
Pep Guardiola's side soon backed out after learning Brighton's asking price, but Chelsea persisted and eventually paid €65.3m to sign the Spaniard - over double the amount Man City were willing to fork out.
Cucurella suffered a torrid first season in west London as he failed to put in the displays that he had regularly produced at Brighton.
Things turned so sour, that on a number of occasions he was booed off the field by the Chelsea fans. He is now the club's second choice left-back behind vice captain Ben Chilwell.
1. Moises Caicedo – €133m (Chelsea, 2023)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, a Brighton player moving to Chelsea is the biggest sale in the club's history, with Moises Caicedo commanding a British transfer record to move to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023.
Chelsea had identified the Ecuadorian as their top target but, despite having agreed personal terms with Caicedo for months, the Blues failed to meet Brighton's asking price in excess of €100m.
However, Liverpool submitted a bid of around €125m for Caicedo, prompting Chelsea to better the offer in order to beat their rivals to the punch.
Caicedo finally got his move in August 2023, signing an eight-year deal, with the option of a ninth.
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Read more about: Premier League, Brighton, Alexis Mac Allister, Anthony Knockaert, Dan Burn, Leandro Trossard, Leo Østigård, Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Neal Maupay, Yves Bissouma
