Chelsea have been handed a potential transfer blow ahead of the summer window – due to Brighton’s financial results.
The Premier League side have released their financial accounts for the 2023/24 season, which show an operating profit of £73.3 million before interest and taxation. In the club’s official statement, it is mentioned that the profit “includes significant income from the British record fee paid by Chelsea for Moises Caicedo along with the fee received from the same club for Robert Sanchez during the 2023 summer window.”
Brighton has been a club Chelsea have done a lot of business with over the last few transfer windows. As well as the £115 million for Caicedo and the £25 million for Robert Sanchez, the Blues also completed a £63 million deal to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton in 2022.
Just a few months later, Chelsea paid a compensation fee of £22 million to bring manager Graham Potter and his staff to the club from the Amex Stadium. The manager left after seven months in charge at Stamford Bridge.
With Brighton being a regular shopping place for Chelsea, it’s one they could look to turn to again this summer as the club back Enzo Maresca. Some reports from TBR suggest that goalkeeper Seagulls stopper Bart Verbruggen could be next on the list, with the Blues expected to strengthen their goalkeeping department in the summer window given the difficulties both Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have had this season.
However, Brighton’s latest financial results means that they will be able to demand huge fees for their players should they decide to sell. The profits posted means that they will have no worries over the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) and will therefore not be forced to cash in on their assets.
Chelsea, on the other hand, may have to be aware of PSR. The club are yet to release the latest financial results, but the last two years have shown loses before taxation of £121.4 million and £90.1 million.
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