Brighton privately delighted as Chelsea ordered to pay 'record fee' for wonderkid - sources
Brighton believe the potential record fee they could receive for striker sensation Shumaira Mheuka is vindication for taking his transfer to a tribunal, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (28 February) that Brighton are in line for a record fee for a 14-year-old after a tribunal ruled that Chelsea must pay a package of up to £4.25million for Mheuka.
By contrast, the current British-record fee for a 14-year-old is listed by Transfermarkt as the £2million Liverpool paid to MK Dons for Sheyi Ojo in 2011.
It is believed Brighton privately feel completely justified in taking the case to a tribunal after being left disappointed with Chelsea's offers for Mhueka - who is now 16.
Brighton vindicated by tribunal's Mhueka verdict
The Blues initially only submitted an offer worth £850,000 - with the tribunal ordering the London club to pay an initial fee of £1million.
A further £3.25million will be due in add-ons, while the hearing also secured Brighton an improvement on Chelsea's offer of a sell-on clause.
It is believed the Seagulls will be due between 20 and 25 per cent of Mhueka's next sale.
The Zimbabwe-born sensation joined Brighton as a nine-year-old and progressed through the club's academy.
He made his Under-18 debut at just 14 before leaving for Chelsea in 2022.
Mhueka is capped at Under-17 level for England and is already prolific for club and country at youth level.
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