‘It’s raised eyebrows’ – Robert Sanchez cited as new Brighton documents surprise
Brighton have been backed to return to a profit next year after a heavy loss was shown in their 2024-25 financial accounts.
That is according to football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, who has exclusively told Football Insider why there should be no cause for concern at Brighton.
Revenue fell at Brighton in their latest accounts, whilst it was revealed that director Paul Barber took a significant pay cut.
Debt to owner Tony Bloom has also increased from £300million to £407m, but that is set to be cleared when the businessman sells the club in the future.
Brighton ‘likely to return to profit next year’
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley offered his verdict on Brighton’s set of accounts which showed an operating loss of £54.4m.
“I mean, obviously, that kind of figure raises eyebrows. So the reason behind this is, they had a big spend in there,” Plumley said.
“I think it was nearly £200m during Fabian Hurzeler’s first season, which is what’s driving this. So the amortization costs and transfer fees is what’s driving the loss and that’s caused a huge jump in their amortization.
“If we roll that back a couple of years, of course, they’ve made huge profits and that was off the bills like, you know, Robert Sanchez and others. So what we’re seeing here is that player trading model in full swing at Brighton, and they’ve reinvested some of that money, of course, from those big sales where they made a profit in those years back into the team. That’s caused the loss.
“What we should also say as well, therefore, is that these accounts don’t include the sales from last summer, where they also collected big fees. So the club are obviously expecting a return for it next year as well.
“So, it’s a high loss figure, but in the context of Brighton, you know, they’ve had two big years of profits, and loads of head room with PSR, as a result of that. It’s just one of those years where you see that volatility in play trading for them, and they’ll turn back to a profit next year most likely.“
Brighton in chase for European qualification
Brighton’s fall in matchday and broadcast revenue was partly down to the club not being in European competition last season.
The Seagulls competed in the Europa League during the 2023-24 season, reaching the quarter-finals of the competition.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler, who is linked with a move to Tottenham, will be looking to lead Brighton to European football next season, with their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth last time out leaving them 12th in the Premier League table.