In the modern football era, where transfer fees are soaring and competition for talent is fiercer than ever, Brighton & Hove Albion have emerged as one of the most astute operators in the transfer market. Often praised for their shrewd scouting and long-term planning, the South Coast club has built a reputation for identifying undervalued talent, developing it, and selling at significant profit, without compromising on-field performance.
Below, BoyleSports, who offer live casino games, analyse ten notable players whose transfers exemplify Brighton’s remarkable recruitment and development model.
Despite his influence in the second tier, Knockaert found it more difficult to establish himself in the Premier League. As Brighton adapted to life in the top flight, the Frenchman’s opportunities became increasingly limited.
In search of regular football, Knockaert joined Fulham on loan in 2019, helping them in their own push for promotion. The move was made permanent in 2020, with Fulham paying a reported €11.7 million for his services. While not one of Brighton’s largest transfer fees received, the deal represented a solid return on a player who had largely fallen out of favour at the Amex.
Despite these highlights, Maupay often struggled with consistency in front of goal. His tendency to underperform his expected goals (xG) raised concerns about his finishing efficiency, and Brighton eventually opted to refresh their attacking options, bringing in Denis Undav and later, Evan Ferguson.
In the summer of 2022, Maupay was sold to Everton for €11.8 million. The move promised a fresh start, but he found life even tougher at Goodison Park, managing just one goal in 27 Premier League appearances during a difficult season for the Toffees.
After a frustrating spell on Merseyside, Maupay returned to Brentford on loan for the 2023–24 campaign before securing a move to Marseille, bringing his Premier League chapter to a close.
In January 2022, the chance to join his hometown club Newcastle United proved too significant to pass up. The move, valued at €15 million, quickly paid off. Burn became an integral part of Eddie Howe’s side, helping them secure Champions League qualification in 2022–23, again showcasing his adaptability on the left side of defence.
His performances earned him a call-up to the Spanish national team in 2021, and he was part of Spain’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.
However, a dip in form saw him replaced by Jason Steele late in the 2022–23 season under Roberto De Zerbi, who preferred a more ball-playing option. With the arrival of Bart Verbruggen in the summer of 2023, Sánchez fell further down the pecking order and was sold to Chelsea for €23 million.
He finished the 2021–22 season as Brighton’s top Premier League scorer and carried that form into the following campaign, including a stunning hat-trick at Anfield in Roberto De Zerbi’s managerial debut - a thrilling 3–3 draw that showcased Trossard’s quality.
His strong start to the 2022–23 season caught Arsenal’s attention, and after a high-profile pursuit of Mykhailo Mudryk fell through, the Gunners secured Trossard’s signature for €24 million in January 2023.
Under Potter, Bissouma blossomed into a dynamic and combative midfielder, combining ball-winning ability with composure and vision in possession. His consistent performances didn’t go unnoticed, as he earned a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders outside the traditional ‘big six’.
A number of top clubs monitored his progress, but it was Tottenham Hotspur who eventually secured his signature in the summer of 2022 for €29.2 million. While his first season in North London was disrupted by injuries and adjustment, the move marked another profitable chapter in Brighton’s intelligent transfer strategy.
That changed during the 2021–22 season, when his technical quality and tactical intelligence made him a mainstay in midfield. His rise continued on the international stage, playing a key role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning side. Following a standout campaign at Brighton, Liverpool secured his services for €42 million in the summer of 2023.
Returning to Brighton, White became a key figure under Graham Potter, showcasing his versatility across centre-back, right-back, and even midfield. After just one full season in the top flight, Arsenal signed him for €58.5 million in 2021. He has since become a consistent performer, excelling as a right-back under Mikel Arteta’s system.
Manchester City showed interest but walked away due to Brighton’s valuation. Chelsea, however, were undeterred and met the full asking price, paying €65.3 million in the summer of 2022. The deal more than doubled Brighton’s initial investment, marking one of the club’s most lucrative and headline-grabbing sales to date.
By the end of the 2022–23 season, he had become one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe. Chelsea had long agreed on personal terms with Caicedo, but Brighton stood firm on their valuation, sparking a protracted transfer saga through the summer window.
Eventually, the Seagulls secured a staggering €133 million fee, with the 21-year-old signing an eight-year contract - plus an optional ninth - at Stamford Bridge. The deal was not only a financial triumph for Brighton but also a testament to their ability to scout, develop, and sell elite talent on the world stage.
Below, BoyleSports, who offer live casino games, analyse ten notable players whose transfers exemplify Brighton’s remarkable recruitment and development model.
10. Anthony Knockaert – €11.7m (to Fulham, 2020)
Anthony Knockaert played a pivotal role in Brighton’s promotion campaign during the 2016–17 Championship season. A creative and energetic winger, he was instrumental in Chris Hughton's side, scoring 15 goals and registering nine assists en route to being named the Championship Player of the Year.Despite his influence in the second tier, Knockaert found it more difficult to establish himself in the Premier League. As Brighton adapted to life in the top flight, the Frenchman’s opportunities became increasingly limited.
In search of regular football, Knockaert joined Fulham on loan in 2019, helping them in their own push for promotion. The move was made permanent in 2020, with Fulham paying a reported €11.7 million for his services. While not one of Brighton’s largest transfer fees received, the deal represented a solid return on a player who had largely fallen out of favour at the Amex.
9. Neal Maupay – €11.8m (to Everton, 2022)
Neal Maupay’s time at Brighton was marked by moments of drama and intensity, known for his fiery personality and knack for late goals. The French striker delivered in key moments, most notably with a memorable winner against Arsenal during the behind-closed-doors matches of the 2020 pandemic season, and a crucial stoppage-time equaliser away at Crystal Palace in 2021.Despite these highlights, Maupay often struggled with consistency in front of goal. His tendency to underperform his expected goals (xG) raised concerns about his finishing efficiency, and Brighton eventually opted to refresh their attacking options, bringing in Denis Undav and later, Evan Ferguson.
In the summer of 2022, Maupay was sold to Everton for €11.8 million. The move promised a fresh start, but he found life even tougher at Goodison Park, managing just one goal in 27 Premier League appearances during a difficult season for the Toffees.
After a frustrating spell on Merseyside, Maupay returned to Brentford on loan for the 2023–24 campaign before securing a move to Marseille, bringing his Premier League chapter to a close.
8. Dan Burn – €15m (to Newcastle, 2022)
Dan Burn proved a reliable and versatile figure during his time at Brighton, often slotting in at left-back despite being a natural centre-half. With Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster occupying central roles, Burn adapted well and became a dependable part of Graham Potter’s defensive setup.In January 2022, the chance to join his hometown club Newcastle United proved too significant to pass up. The move, valued at €15 million, quickly paid off. Burn became an integral part of Eddie Howe’s side, helping them secure Champions League qualification in 2022–23, again showcasing his adaptability on the left side of defence.
7. Robert Sánchez – €23m (to Chelsea, 2023)
Robert Sánchez’s rise at Brighton was both unexpected and impressive. Initially emerging from a series of lower-league loan spells, he earned his breakthrough under Graham Potter, replacing Mat Ryan as first-choice goalkeeper. His shot-stopping ability, commanding presence, and quick development soon made him a standout name in the Premier League.His performances earned him a call-up to the Spanish national team in 2021, and he was part of Spain’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.
However, a dip in form saw him replaced by Jason Steele late in the 2022–23 season under Roberto De Zerbi, who preferred a more ball-playing option. With the arrival of Bart Verbruggen in the summer of 2023, Sánchez fell further down the pecking order and was sold to Chelsea for €23 million.
6. Leandro Trossard – €24m (to Arsenal, 2023)
Leandro Trossard quickly established himself as a key creative force at Brighton following his arrival in 2019. Technically gifted and tactically intelligent, the Belgian attacker offered versatility across the front line and consistently delivered in big moments.He finished the 2021–22 season as Brighton’s top Premier League scorer and carried that form into the following campaign, including a stunning hat-trick at Anfield in Roberto De Zerbi’s managerial debut - a thrilling 3–3 draw that showcased Trossard’s quality.
His strong start to the 2022–23 season caught Arsenal’s attention, and after a high-profile pursuit of Mykhailo Mudryk fell through, the Gunners secured Trossard’s signature for €24 million in January 2023.
5. Yves Bissouma – €29.2m (to Tottenham, 2022)
Yves Bissouma’s journey at Brighton was one of steady progression and growing influence. Signed from Lille in 2018, he initially found minutes hard to come by under Chris Hughton, with more experienced midfielders like Davy Pröpper and Dale Stephens ahead of him in the pecking order. However, the arrival of Graham Potter proved pivotal to his development.Under Potter, Bissouma blossomed into a dynamic and combative midfielder, combining ball-winning ability with composure and vision in possession. His consistent performances didn’t go unnoticed, as he earned a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders outside the traditional ‘big six’.
A number of top clubs monitored his progress, but it was Tottenham Hotspur who eventually secured his signature in the summer of 2022 for €29.2 million. While his first season in North London was disrupted by injuries and adjustment, the move marked another profitable chapter in Brighton’s intelligent transfer strategy.
4. Alexis Mac Allister – €42m (to Liverpool, 2023)
Brighton’s smart recruitment in South America paid off handsomely with the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Argentinos Juniors for just €8 million in 2019. After loan spells in Argentina, he broke into Brighton’s first team but initially struggled to cement a consistent role.That changed during the 2021–22 season, when his technical quality and tactical intelligence made him a mainstay in midfield. His rise continued on the international stage, playing a key role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning side. Following a standout campaign at Brighton, Liverpool secured his services for €42 million in the summer of 2023.
3. Ben White – €58.5m (to Arsenal, 2021)
A product of Brighton’s academy, Ben White truly announced himself during a standout loan spell at Leeds United in 2019–20, helping them earn promotion to the Premier League. His performances drew widespread praise, even sparking talk of an England call-up while still in the Championship.Returning to Brighton, White became a key figure under Graham Potter, showcasing his versatility across centre-back, right-back, and even midfield. After just one full season in the top flight, Arsenal signed him for €58.5 million in 2021. He has since become a consistent performer, excelling as a right-back under Mikel Arteta’s system.
2. Marc Cucurella – €65.3m (to Chelsea, 2022)
Marc Cucurella made an instant impact after joining Brighton from Getafe in 2021, delivering a standout debut season that earned him the club’s Player of the Year award. His high energy, defensive tenacity, and ability to drive forward from left-back quickly caught the attention of top clubs.Manchester City showed interest but walked away due to Brighton’s valuation. Chelsea, however, were undeterred and met the full asking price, paying €65.3 million in the summer of 2022. The deal more than doubled Brighton’s initial investment, marking one of the club’s most lucrative and headline-grabbing sales to date.
1. Moisés Caicedo – €133m (to Chelsea, 2023)
Moisés Caicedo’s record-breaking transfer to Chelsea in 2023 stands as the most expensive sale in Brighton’s history and one of the priciest Premier League deals of all time. Signed from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle for a modest fee in 2021, Caicedo quickly rose through the ranks with his exceptional work rate, ball-winning ability, and tactical maturity.By the end of the 2022–23 season, he had become one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe. Chelsea had long agreed on personal terms with Caicedo, but Brighton stood firm on their valuation, sparking a protracted transfer saga through the summer window.
Eventually, the Seagulls secured a staggering €133 million fee, with the 21-year-old signing an eight-year contract - plus an optional ninth - at Stamford Bridge. The deal was not only a financial triumph for Brighton but also a testament to their ability to scout, develop, and sell elite talent on the world stage.