Bloom's ambitions 'as lofty as they have ever been'

Brighton owner Tony Bloom

It was fascinating to listen to Tony Bloom's chat with BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor on BBC Sounds.

Brighton have spent big this summer, £194m, which is the second highest behind Chelsea in the Premier League.

And while Bloom said he does not expect that to be repeated in the near future when some of the club's promising young players are expected to emerge, that outlay does come with increased expectation and scrutiny.

Bloom said he feels European qualification is a definite possibility given the seven clubs participating in expanded tournaments this season will have even more juggling to do, and obviously there are the domestic cups.

He also refused to back down from a belief Brighton's women's team can achieve top-four status, although Bloom acknowledged it is taking longer than envisaged due to the emergence of Manchester United.

Bloom has achieved so much as Brighton owner but it does not look as though he is ready to ease off just yet. His aims are as lofty as they have ever been.