On the back of a 6th place finish last season, Brighton are preparing for their first ever European campaign. With talisman Alexis Mac Allister already departed for Liverpool, and the long saga surrounding Moisés Caicedo finally over as he joined Chelsea, Brighton will be on the lookout for new recruits to strengthen their squad.
Brighton have made significant moves in the transfer market already, with Roberto De Zerbi looking to add depth across the entire pitch. The boss says he is happy with his Seagulls squad, but it will be interesting to see if any more additions or departures take place before the end of the summer transfer window.
Our record-breaking 22/23 season had its highs and lows… 🥲
Road to Europe: Heartbreak and Hope. 💔🙏
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 27, 2023
The Seagulls’ scouting system is known for discovering top talent, especially in recent years, so let’s take a look at all of the ins and outs at Brighton so far this summer.
Brighton new signings: Summer 2023 Arrivals
Igor (Fiorentina)
Brazilian defender Igor has joined the South Coast side from Italian giants Fiorentina, for a fee of around €17m. Most comfortable on the left hand side of the defense, Igor brings further depth in a position that Brighton perhaps look the shortest.
With Levi Colwill returning to Chelsea this summer, the Seagulls needed defensive reinforcement and De Zerbi seems to have found someone to suit his style. The manager will know Igor well from his time in Italy and in today’s market, €17m is a very good price for a player of this quality.
Still only 25 years old, Igor still has time to get better and a club like Brighton is a great place to develop.
James Milner (Liverpool)
A man that needs no introduction and provides the type of character and depth Brighton will need for their first ever season of European football. Milner comes into Brighton on the back of an illustrious Premier League career where he has won all there is to win and now sits third in the list of all-time Premier League appearance makers.
At 37 years old, Milner certainly won’t be playing every week for the Seagulls, but his abilities on and off the pitch will have a big impact over the course of the season. Expect De Zerbi to utilise Milner in a number of different positions throughout the season.
Mahmoud Dahoud (Borussia Dortmund)
German international Dahoud is quite the statement signing as he makes the switch to the seaside from European giants Borussia Dortmund. A player still in his prime years and with abilities to play a number of different central midfield roles. Versatility is exactly what Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is looking for and Dahoud provides that, as well as experience playing in European competitions.
The club are clearly trying to add experienced names to go alongside the pool of youngsters, with Dahoud the perfect example of that. He may not be Moisés Caicedo, but can certainly fill that role to a high standard.
João Pedro (Watford)
Brighton’s marquee signing of the summer so far is the number 9 they have been crying out for. João Pedro completed his move from Watford for a fee of just under £30m, including add-ons. The 21-year-old Brazilian forward is perfect for the fluid Brighton system. He can lead the line, play off the striker and create goals for others. Pedro could be the man to take Brighton to the next level this season.
De Zerbi is known for his rotation, so Pedro may not play every game and could be deployed in different areas, but either way Brighton now have an entire new weapon in their arsenal with the qualities of the Brazilian forward.
Bart Verbruggen (Anderlecht)
Brighton may have solved the problem surrounding goalkeeper selection after the signing of Bart Verbruggen from Belgian side Anderlecht. Roberto De Zerbi was very clear with his views on ex-number one goalkeeper Robert Sánchez who was dropped soon after the new manager’s arrival. The heroics of Jason Steele towards the end of the season may be enough to keep his spot for now, but 20 year old Verbruggen is certainly the future of Brighton’s goalkeeper position.
Expect Steele to start the season as number one, but with multiple competitions on the horizon, Verbruggen is sure to get his chance sooner rather than later.
Carlos Baleba – Lille
Joining on a five-year-deal, Carlos Baleba joins from Lille as Brighton add yet more promising young talent to their squad. At just 19, Baleba has plenty of time to grow at Brighton. Baleba made his debut for Lille's first team last September and went on to make 19 appearances for them in the 2022/23 season. Having already made two appearance this season, he might be part of Brighton's plans for this season.
Adrian Mazilu – Farul Constanta
Another summer, and another “wonderkid” snapped up by Brighton. While we could say they're making a habit of it, it's amazing clubs keep letting Brighton snap up such talent. At just 17 years of age, the Romanian winger joins Brighton for just £2.5m. It's unlikely we see much of him for a while, but he's no doubt part of some grand scheme to replace Mitoma when he moves to Man United for £150m next summer.
Ansu Fati – Barcelona (loan)
Joining on loan, Brighton have signed the 20-year-old Spanish international on a one-year loan. Brighton will pay 80% of his wages, roughly £160k a week. The contract features no option to make the deal permanent at the end of it. Fari has played 100 times in LaLiga since he made his debut at 16. Fati joins Brighton to replace outbound man Enciso, with Brighton hoping the Barca man can bring something special to the south coast.
Summer 2023 Departures
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
A transfer that felt inevitable and was seemingly accepted with good faith but all Brighton fans. World Cup winner Mac Allister was always going to have big clubs interested after a stunning season for both club and country. Brighton would’ve hoped for a more sizable transfer fee but the Argentinian was given the club’s blessing to leave.
Liverpool now have a missing piece to their midfield conundrum, with the Seagulls looking for replacements who could emulate the role that Mac Allister played for De Zerbi last season.
Moisés Caicedo (Chelsea)
A deal that took many twists and turns was finally resolved last week, with Brighton receiving a British record fee of £115m for Moisés Caicedo. A truly staggering amount of money and a deal that highlights the crazy era of football we live in now.
Caicédo was always going to leave Brigthon this summer, and in the end it just came down to the player choosing between Liverpool or Chelsea, with the Blues managing to secure his signature in the end.
De Zerbi was quick to reiterate that no one player is irreplaceable and recruits will come in to fill the void of the relentless midfield engine of the Ecuadorian midfielder.
Robert Sánchez (Chelsea)
Another departure that was expected by many at the club was goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, who has also moved to West London to join up with Caicedo at Chelsea.
The Spaniard lost his place in the Brighton team towards the back end of last season, with boss Roberto De Zerbi seemingly not fond of Sánchez’ style with how he wanted to play.
Chelsea desperately needed a keeper after all of their summer outgoings, which made this move make sense for both parties. Sánchez will now get first team football again, with the Seagulls pocketing around £20m for the deal.
Fans now look ahead to the new season, with European football heading to the South Coast for the very first time. Whatever happens from now until the close of the summer window, this Brighton squad has the quality and leadership to compete on all fronts this season.
Michal Karbownik – Hertha Berlin
Having signed for Brighton in October 2020 from Legia Warsaw, Karbownik has taken up a permanent move to Hertha Berlin. Having spent last season on loan at the Bundesliga 2 side, Karbowik will remain with them going forward. Picking up just two appearances for Brighton, he has managed to break into the senior Poland squad in the past few seasons.
Reda Khadra – Reims
Reda Khadra, who failed to make a senior appearance at Brighton, was another player moved on in the summer. While Brighton are often praised for the gems they uncover, sometimes it doesn't work out. Khadra mostly showed his promise at Blackburn, and will now look to build on that with a move to Ligue 1 side Reims. The deal will cost the French side just £1.7m.
Aaron Connolly – Hull
Aaron Connolly is another player heading for the exit at Brighton. The 23-year-old was on loan with Hull last season, though his progress was set-back due to an injury to his toe. He'll now make the move to Hull permanent, signing at one-year deal with the Tigers.
