Despite establishing themselves in the Premier League’s top half, Brighton & Hove Albion often struggle to keep hold of their star players in the transfer windows.
But they are an extremely well-run club and have become renowned for unearthing hidden gems before selling them on for huge profits.
We’ve taken a look at the 10 most expensive sales in Brighton’s history and how those players fared after leaving the South Coast.
Note: we’ve included any potential add-ons in the final figures.
10. Billy Gilmour – £16m
Year: 2024
To: Napoli
Brighton appearances: 60
Brighton goals: 0
Gilmour spent two years at Brighton before completing a deadline day move to Napoli, who agreed to pay an initial £12million fee plus £4million in add-ons.
He formed an impressive midfield partnership with fellow Scotland international Scott McTominay and helped Napoli win the Serie A title in 2024/25.
“We are talking about a guy who, during the training sessions, every time his level is top, top, top,” Antonio Conte said.
“For me, he’s a fantastic player: he takes the ball under pressure, looks [scans] before receiving the ball, always knows where the ball is going. A big, big personality.”
9. Robert Sanchez – £25m
Year: 2023
To: Chelsea
Brighton appearances: 90
Brighton goals conceded: 102
One of four current Chelsea players on this list, Sanchez came through the academy at Brighton and made his first-team debut in November 2020.
He became Graham Potter’s first-choice goalkeeper but fell out of favour under Roberto De Zerbi and was usurped by Jason Steele in the 2022/23 season.
The Spain international then moved to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth an initial £20million and another £5million in potential bonuses.
He has struggled to produce his best form in west London and no player committed more errors leading to an opposition goal than the 27-year-old in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
8. Leandro Trossard – £26m
Year: 2023
To: Arsenal
Brighton appearances: 122
Brighton goals: 25
Trossard joined Brighton from Genk in a £15million deal in 2019 and became a fan favourite during his three-and-a-half years at the Amex.
But he had a public bust-up with De Zerbi in January 2023 and moved to Arsenal in a deal worth an initial £21million and another £5million in add-ons.
The Belgium international has been a shrewd addition to the Arsenal frontline, scoring 28 goals and providing 23 assists in 124 appearances for the Gunners.
Leo sends Emirates Stadium wild 😍 pic.twitter.com/It4E0dImOr
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 5, 2024
7. Deniz Undav – £28m
Year: 2024
To: Stuttgart
Brighton appearances: 30
Brighton goals: 8
Undav spent one season at Brighton before completing a loan move to Stuttgart, where he registered 18 goals and 10 assists in 30 Bundesliga appearances in 2023/24.
While Brighton wanted to reintegrate the striker back into their squad, they ultimately sold him to Stuttgart after he expressed his desire to remain with the Bundesliga side.
“Deniz wants to play Champions League football and continue his time with Stuttgart, and while we would have liked to have kept him as part of the squad, his preference was to make his move permanent,” Brighton technical director David Weir said.
“Once he’d made that clear, our priority was to ensure that Stuttgart met the valuation of the player. That’s now been achieved and we would like to thank Deniz for his time at the club and wish him well for the future.”
The Germany international has since struggled to replicate the form he showed in his loan spell, scoring just nine Bundesliga goals in 2024/25.
6. Yves Bissouma – £35m
Year: 2022
To: Tottenham Hotspur
Brighton appearances: 124
Brighton goals: 6
After joining Brighton from Lille in a £15million deal in 2018, Bissouma developed into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
The Seagulls reluctantly agreed to cash in on the Mali international in the summer of 2022 as he was preparing to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
He joined Tottenham in a deal that could reach £35million with add-ons but has failed to replicate the consistent performances that he put in for the Seagulls.
The 28-year-old did still help Spurs end their 17-year wait for silverware after starting in the 2024/25 Europa League final win over Manchester United.
5. Ben White – £50m
Year: 2021
To: Arsenal
Brighton appearances: 41
Brighton goals: 0
Following successful loan spells at Newport County, Peterborough United and Leeds United, White made his breakthrough at Brighton in 2020/21.
Despite the fact that he only had one season of Premier League experience under his belt, Arsenal agreed to pay £50million for the centre-back in 2021.
“It was one of those things where I think everybody won from that situation – we got a good fee, they got a good player.” Brighton CEO Paul Barber said. “Ben gets a chance to play at a club that he sees as a progression for him so everybody wins.”
The England international has since moved to right-back and is now considered one of the best in his position in the Premier League.
4. Alexis Mac Allister – £55m
Year: 2023
To: Liverpool
Brighton appearances: 112
Brighton goals: 20
Mac Allister was a relatively unknown prospect when Brighton signed him from Argentinos Juniors in a £6.9million deal in January 2019.
The midfielder enjoyed a brilliant 2022/23 season at club and international level, winning the World Cup with Argentina before helping Brighton secure a sixth-placed Premier League finish.
He left the Amex at the end of that season and joined Liverpool in a deal worth an initial £35million, which could eventually reach £55million with add-ons.
The 26-year-old played an integral role in their Premier League title-winning campaign in 2024/25 and was nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
Alexis Mac Allister scores special goals 🚀
Two years at Liverpool for the Argentinian ❤️ pic.twitter.com/L1fudGMTNw
— Premier League (@premierleague) June 8, 2025
3. Joao Pedro – £60m
Year: 2025
To: Chelsea
Brighton appearances: 70
Brighton goals: 30
Brighton signed Pedro from Watford in the summer of 2023 for just under £30million, which at the time was a club-record transfer fee.
The Brazil international justified that fee during a two-year stint with the Seagulls, registering 30 goals and 10 assists in 70 appearances in all competitions.
Brighton rejected a £50million bid from Newcastle United this summer but agreed terms with Chelsea, who have paid an initial £55million and another £5million in add-ons.
“This is a good move for all parties,” Fabian Hurzeler said. “It’s an excellent deal for the club, and a good return on a significant investment in an area of the pitch where we have a lot of competition and are already well served in terms of our attacking talent.”
2. Marc Cucurella – £63m
Year: 2022
To: Chelsea
Brighton appearances: 38
Brighton appearances: 1
Cucurella enjoyed a brilliant debut season at Brighton in 2021/22 and his impressive performances attracted interest from both Chelsea and Manchester City.
Chelsea won the race for his signature after paying an initial £56million and another £7million in performance-related add-ons, making him the second-most-expensive full-back of all time.
The left-back struggled in his first 18 months at Stamford Bridge but has since turned his fortunes around and is now a key player under Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella
1. Moises Caicedo – £115m
Year: 2023
To: Chelsea
Brighton appearances: 53
Brighton goals: 2
After joining Brighton from Independiente del Valle for just £4million in January 2021, Caicedo established himself as one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League.
He was linked with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in 2023 but ultimately joined the latter in a deal worth an initial £100million and another £15million in bonuses.
It is the third-biggest fee ever received by an English club for a player after Phillipe Coutinho’s £142million move to Barcelona and Eden Hazard’s £130million move to Real Madrid.
The Ecuador international had a mixed debut season at Stamford Bridge but rediscovered his best form in 2024/25 and won the Chelsea Player of the Year award.
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