The 10 most expensive Brighton sales of all time: Caicedo to Chelsea, Mac Allister to Liverpool, White to Arsenal…

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 not included any potential add-ons in the totals.

10. Anthony Knockaert – £10.5m

Knockaert starred in the Brighton side that won promotion to the Premier League in 2016/17 and was named Championship Player of the Season in the process.

But the winger struggled to replicate that form in the top-flight and spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Fulham.

Since making that move permanent in 2020, he has struggled with injury problems and has made just 10 first-team appearances for the Cottagers.

The 31-year-old, who has one year left on his Fulham contract, also had difficult loan spells at Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town and Greek side Velos.

9. Neal Maupay – £12m

Having signed Maupay from Brentford for £16million in 2019, they actually made a small loss on him in the summer of 2022.

Everton fought off competition from Fulham and Nottingham Forest and paid an initial £12million for the striker, who had less than a year remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium.

He endured a disastrous debut season at Goodison Park, registering just one goal and one assist in 29 appearances in all competitions.

8. Dan Burn – £13m

A £3million signing from Wigan Atheltic, Burn made 85 appearances for Brighton before Newcastle United lured the boyhood Magpies fan back to the North East in January 2022.

“Honestly if it hadn’t been Newcastle I wouldn’t have left,” Burn said. “I loved my time there. We were doing well, I was playing regularly and I enjoyed playing under the manager and with that bunch of lads.”

The centre-back made an immediate impact at St James’ Park and steered Eddie Howe’s side away from the relegation zone in 2021/22.

He also impressed as a makeshift left-back in 2022/23, helping Newcastle qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2003.

Newcastle double their lead on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Dan Burn's towering header. #NUFC | #BHAFC | #NEWBHA

🎥 @SkySportsPL pic.twitter.com/dLt8J7vTC5

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 18, 2023

7. Robert Sanchez – £20m

One of three current Chelsea players on this list, Sanchez came through the academy at Brighton and made his first-team debut in November 2020.

He thrived under Graham Potter and established himself as one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in the Premier League.

But the Spain international fell out of favour under Roberto De Zerbi and was usurped by Jason Steele in the 2022/23 season.

He fell further down the pecking order following the arrival of Bart Verbruggen and then moved to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth an initial £20million and another £5million in potential bonuses.

6. Leandro Trossard – £21m

Trossard joined Brighton from Genk in a £15million deal in 2019 and went from strength to strength during his three-and-a-half years at the Amex.

After having a bitter public bust-up with De Zerbi, he moved to Arsenal in January 2023 in a deal worth an initial £21million and another £5million in add-ons.

The versatile forward registered 11 direct goal contributions in his debut half-season at the Emirates, including a hat-trick of assists in a 3-0 win over Fulham.

He also scored an injury-time equaliser against Manchester City as the Gunners won the 2023 Community Shield.

😱 Leandro Trossard with the deflected dagger in the 101st minute!@itvfootball | #ARSMCI pic.twitter.com/EVBSEJsFw5

— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) August 6, 2023

5. Yves Bissouma – £25m

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 but struggled to make an impact in his debut season, starting just 12 games in all competitions.

The 26-year-old is now starting to rediscover his best form under Ange Postecoglou and won the Man of the Match award in their first game of the 2023/24 season.

4. Alexis Mac Allister – £35m

Mac Allister was a relatively unknown prospect when Brighton signed him from Argentinos Juniors in a £6.9million deal in January 2019.

The 24-year-old shot to prominence in 2022/23, scoring 10 Premier League goals and helping the Seagulls achieve Europa League qualification for the very first time.

He also established himself in Argentina’s midfield during the 2022 World Cup as Lionel Scaloni’s team won the tournament in Qatar.

While Brighton reportedly valued Mac Allister at £70million, Liverpool signed him for £35million by triggering the release clause in his contract.

3. Ben White – £50m

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 25-year-old enjoyed a promising debut season at the Emirates and then adapted to right-back superbly in Arsenal’s surprise title charge in 2022/23.

2. Marc Cucurella – £56m

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, paying an initial £56million and another £7million in performance-related add-ons.

The left-back is yet to match the form he showcased on the South Coast and was been booed off by sections of Chelsea supporters in 2022/23.

He’s fallen behind Ben Chilwell and Ian Maatsen in the pecking order and Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly looking to offload him this summer.

1. Moises Caicedo – £100m

Brighton bought Caicedo from Independiente del Valle for just £4million in January 2021, and he then became one of the most sought-after players in England.

After rejecting a £70million offer from Arsenal in January 2023, Brighton accepted a £111million bid from Liverpool a few months later.

But he had his heart set on a move to Chelsea, who eventually agreed to pay the Seagulls an initial £100million and another £15million in bonuses.

“We were working with Chelsea as soon as we realised Liverpool weren’t able to proceed and we had to protect our own interests; our player and his value,” Paul Barber told talkSPORT.

“We’ve done that and Moises now goes onto the next stage of his career. He’s a fine player. He could become one of the best midfield players in the world, he’s got that much potential.”

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