‘Really good’ – Finance expert explains impact of Brighton’s 2030 vision on transfer plans
Brighton will have to stretch themselves financially if they are to have any hope of fulfilling their 2030 vision.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that, despite being one of the Premier League’s most innovative sides, qualifying for Europe is an incredibly tough task for some of the less established clubs in England’s top-flight.
Joao Pedro departed Brighton for Chelsea this summer in a deal worth £60million [BBC Sport], becoming the latest player they have sold for a huge profit.
The Seagulls’ model of signing players like Moises Caicedo for small sums based on a data-led approach has seen the club become one of the most revered clubs in the Premier League.
And the appointment of Jason Ayto as their new sporting director is another step towards achieving their aims of their Vision 2030 plan [The Athletic], which involves becoming a regular entrant to European competition.
However, Brighton may have to employ a riskier strategy in the transfer market if they are to achieve their aims long-term.
Brighton need to take financial risk to earn European football
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley explained that whilst Brighton is one of the best-run Premier League sides, if they have serious aims of achieving their new vision for the club, there is a need to push the boundaries of their financial limitations.
He said: “Probably more altered than aggressive. The strategy’s really good in terms of what they’re trying to do.
“We’ve always talked about them as one of the innovators and trying to do things differently and the success that they’ve had.
“It’s not easy to get into Europe with the current makeup of the Premier League.
“Financially, you do have to stretch yourselves a little bit, but they have put themselves in a position to be able to do that if they want to, certainly, with some of the sales that we’ve seen of those players in the past.
“I don’t think there will be radical shifts in the way they run the club. I think they’ve come so far here and had so much success that you don’t want to rip everything up.
“But if they are going to push for Europe, it’s not easy, and they might alter the approach a little bit.
“Whether or not they’ll be super aggressive, I’m a little bit cautious about that.
“But they’re certainly gonna have to alter a little bit to even try and get in that top seven or eight, because it’s not easy.”
Brighton hands tied on Jan Paul van Hecke if Champions League club makes offer
A huge part of the Seagulls’ desire to regularly qualify for European football will centre not only on their recruitment, but also on keeping their key players.
But that may be easier said than done, as Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider, Brighton could be forced to sell Jan Paul van Hecke if a Champions League club comes knocking.
The Dutch defender has so far rejected the Seagulls’ attempts to tie him down to a new long-term contract.
Sources have told Football Insider that Van Hecke is keen to play in the Champions League regularly.