'An outstanding young player' - Hurzeler on Kostoulaspublished at 20:40 BST 12 June
20:40 BST 12 June
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is excited to work with new signing Charalampos Kostoulas after the 18-year-old striker joined on a five-year deal from Olympiakos.
During a breakthrough season in Greece, the teenager scored seven goals in 35 appearances for the champions.
"Charalampos is an outstanding young player and we're delighted he is coming to Brighton," Hurzeler said. "He wants to play in the Premier League and we are excited about what he can bring to the team.
"He will give us different attacking options and we're looking forward to helping him adapt to his new environment."
'If he's good enough, then play him... don't loan him out' - fans on Kostoulaspublished at 18:41 BST 12 June
18:41 BST 12 June
Image source, Getty Images
Following the news that Brighton have agreed a deal to sign 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiakos, we asked for your views on the move for the teenage forward.
Here are some of your comments:
Paul: I'm concerned his decision making on the ball seems really poor. He seems to base a lot of his play around take-ons and dummies he won't be able to get away with in the Premier League. I do ultimately trust the club on this, however.
Fran: New signing looks like one for the future - but if he is good enough, then play him. Don't spend that much money and send him out on loan. Ideally, we need an experienced striker, one who can get at least 15 goals a season. Same with young Watson. Don't keep signing youngsters for the future - play them now if they are good enough.
Roger: Kostoulas' arrival at Brighton will either hasten the exit of Evan Ferguson or motivate the young Irishman to drill down and regain the form he has already proved himself capable of. Kostoulas has yet to prove himself in the Premier League environment.
Gordon: He's coming to the best finishing school in football.
Tony: If recent strategy is anything to go by, he'll be off on loan somewhere, and it will be interesting to see how he develops.
Kostoulas guided by NBA superstar's mentorpublished at 17:54 BST 12 June
17:54 BST 12 June
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Greek agent Giorgos Panou is credited with launching the career of superstar Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and is now doing the same in football with Brighton's soon-to-be new striker Charalampos Kostoulas.
Just as he spotted Antetokounmpo, then a second division Greek basketball player in 2013, he spotted Kostoulas, nicknamed "Babis", aged 15.
He is now on the verge of a record breaking £29.78m transfer to Brighton and when asked how the two talents compare, Panou replied: "I felt the same way when I first say Babis playing three years ago in an under-19s game, aged 13, to how I felt when I first saw Giannis.
"I got the feeling immediately that he is cold-blooded, immense talent, with great body language and ready to take on older, bigger guys without feeling pressure. I saw a potential to grow."
Chelsea have been credited with interest in Kostoulas in the past while Brighton are believed to have beaten some of the biggest clubs in Germany to his signature. So why move to the south coast? The answer is, perhaps, unsurprising.
"They won the family and myself with how the talk, negotiate, give all the tools to thrive and have a good track record of developing similar young talents," Panou added. "So we feel very comfortable, and we think I'm really sure that Babis will adapt really fast in this environment. It was a no brainer for me."
The former Greek basketball national team assistant coach, now brokering deals across two sports, believes this is a golden era of Greek football with Stefanos Tzimas also joining Brighton from Nurnberg this summer, while fellow Olympiakos talent Christos Mouzakitis, Genk attacker Konstantinos Karetsas and PAOK star Giannis Konstantelias are expected soon to move to a top five European league club.
Brighton move for Greek teenager Kostoulas - have your saypublished at 11:54 BST 12 June
11:54 BST 12 June
Image source, Getty Images
So, with Brighton having agreed a deal with Olympiakos for 18-year-old forward Charalampos Kostoulas, we want your views.
What do you make of the signing? Has your scouting department unearthed another gem? And where do you see the youngster's place in Fabian Hurzeler's squad?
Who is 'wonderkid' Kostoulas?published at 11:51 BST 12 June
11:51 BST 12 June
Tasnim Chowdhury BBC Sport journalist
BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team have been answering transfer related questions and have received one about incoming Brighton forward Charalampos Kostoulas.
Steve in Brighton asked: I understand Brighton are signing a £34m 'wonderkid'. Any truth and who is he?
We answered: Brighton are indeed set to sign Olympiakos striker Charalampos Kostoulas for about £29.7m (35m euros) on a five-year deal.
The deal represents by far the highest fee ever received by a Greek club, beating the £16.6m Wolves paid to sign Daniel Podence from Olympiakos in 2020.
Coming up through Olympiakos' academy, Kostoulas won the Uefa Youth League in 2024 and has impressed in the first team.
He became the youngest goalscorer in the Greek Super League at 17 years, five months and 11 days.
The 18-year-old Greece Under-21 international completed his first season with seven goals in 35 appearances, as well as two trophies - the league title and the Greek Cup.
Kostoulas also has European football experience, featuring in eight of Olympiakos' Europa League matches.
He is the son of former Olympiakos and Greece defender Athanasios Kostoulas, while his brother, Konstantinos, is on loan to Rio Ave from Olympiakos.
What is Ask Me Anything?
Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.
We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.
The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits.
We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events.
Our coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio.
Igor will have 'a lot of suitors wanting to take him' from Brightonpublished at 08:54 BST 11 June
08:54 BST 11 June
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A number of clubs will try to sign defender Igor Julio this summer, according to the panel on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast.
Igor made just 13 Premier League appearances because of injuries last season, and with Brighton linked to a number of defenders it might not be a surprise to see him head the other way.
Podcast host Cantor believes a number of clubs will not be put off by his lack of game time.
"Igor will probably have a lot of interest in him. I know he's been unlucky with injuries, but at times we saw good - particularly during the European campaign and then a partnership with Van Hecke - before the injury.
"We always say he looks like he's playing with a cigar in his mouth, but actually he's a very capable player. He's not too old. There should be plenty of people happy to take him if Albion decide to sell him."
Former Seagulls forward Warren Aspinall added: "He's got a good pedigree under his belt. When he plays for Brighton, he's been very good barring the Leicester game.
"Since then, he's come back from injury and slotted in well. He can play as a left-back too, so I think there will be a lot of suitors wanting to take him."
🎧 Albion's potential summer transfers discussedpublished at 17:53 BST 10 June
17:53 BST 10 June
The latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast has landed!
The team discuss Brighton's potential incomings and outgoings for the summer transfer window, including Charalampos Kostoulas, Diego Coppola and Azzedine Ounahi.
Also, hear a featured interview with former Seagulls striker Baz Savage.
Brighton youngster Beadle set for Birmingham loanpublished at 12:37 BST 10 June
12:37 BST 10 June
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
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Brighton goalkeeper James Beadle's loan move to Birmingham City is progressing, but will not be done before Tuesday's first transfer deadline.
The 20-year-old is expected to move to St Andrew's this summer for a season-long loan.
Beadle will be on international duty this month and he is likely to be England Under-21s' first choice for Euro 2025, with the Young Lions opening their title defence against Czech Republic on Thursday, 12 June in Slovakia.
Pedro 'will hopefully go' and Strand Larsen 'will be in Lancing'published at 08:07 BST 10 June
08:07 BST 10 June
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We asked for your views on whether Brighton need to act urgently in the transfer market, with the first window closing at 19:00 BST on Tuesday.
Here are some of your comments:
Tony: I would like to see Jorgen Strand Larsen arriving at the training ground in Lancing today, considering Bryan Mbeumo seems to be heading elsewhere!
Thomas: Joao Pedro will hopefully go. The worry is with his temperament but nobody will match Tony Bloom's price tag. Bringing in a striker could be a good idea. Everything will be done before deadline day, in classic Brighton fashion.
Charlie: I would really like to get Harvey Elliott from Liverpool. There's an article up on BBC Sport about the uncertainty of whether or not he will be at Liverpool next year. He clearly wants more minutes and, with Florian Wirtz looking like he is going to be taking that attacking midfield spot at Liverpool, I think someone who can play as a midfielder, an attacking midfielder or a winger will be great for us.
Follow transfer deadline daypublished at 08:02 BST 10 June
08:02 BST 10 June
Today is the first of two transfer deadline days this summer as the window shuts for seven days before reopening on 16 June.
In a change to the summer transfer window norm, it opened early to allow clubs involved in the Fifa Club World Cup 10 days to sign players for inclusion in the competition.
Whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.
Abdallah Sima, who was on loan at French side Brest last season, will also stay at the club going forward as will Seb Jensen, Harry Mills, Odel Offiah and Jamie Mullins.
🎧 Rise of American ownership in English footballpublished at 11:07 BST 9 June
11:07 BST 9 June
It is not just at the top of the Premier League where American ownership has a foothold in English football.
Twenty years on from the Glazer takeover of Manchester United, one third of the 72 EFL clubs now have either majority or minority US backers.
In a special episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Kelly Cates is joined by a group of experts to investigate whether this trend is likely to continue.
Do you want business on deadline day?published at 08:34 BST 9 June
08:34 BST 9 June
On Tuesday, the first of two summer transfer windows will come to a close.
So, do you expect business to be done at Brighton before the deadline? Do you want players to come in or exit? If so, what or who do you think is needed?
'If two had to go, I'd choose Pedro and Verbruggen'published at 10:53 BST 5 June
10:53 BST 5 June
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We asked for your views on how many players Brighton could afford to lose if they want to achieve their aims next season? You will see in our post below that several Seagulls players have been ranked in the top 100 in the world in terms of valuation. So does the value of Brighton's top players make their potential sales worthwhile?
Here are some of your comments:
Mark: Having brought in a substantial amount in fees in the last few summer windows, I'm hoping we may get away with only selling one top player (Joao Pedro) this summer. We need a genuine number nine, as Danny Welbeck isn't getting any younger, a central defender, and full-back cover. I'm hopeful that Evan Ferguson may develop into the player we hoped he would be, and the returning loan players kick on to establish themselves in the first team squad. I do think at least one will be moved on - we need to be a stronger squad on1 September than we were on 1 June if we're going to compete in the top six next season, which must be the goal.
Steve: If there's no choice and two had to go, I'd choose Pedro and Verbruggen. It sounds like Pedro is already out after the bust up with a team-mate, while we have a number of quality keepers. On no account should we sell Mitoma, Baleba or Van Hecke if we are serious about wanting to challenge the establishment.
Tony: I feel quite relaxed about the possibility of losing most of those players, the exception being Baleba who I think we should keep hold of for now. I think we have decent replacements in the pipeline for all the others.
Nick: Baleba shouldn't go for any less than Caicedo did. He's a better player than either of his predecessors. The way the season ended, I wonder if Joao Pedro's time is up and £60m is probably realistic. If bids of that much came in for Verbruggen or Minteh then I imagine they would go too. They would be missed, but they are not irreplaceable.
Fred: The model used to calculate those fees for our top players doesn't factor in the Bloom & Barber negotiation tax. So you can start by adding on a minimum of 10% to those numbers. If we sold Verbruggen for £60m+ and Pedro for £70m and then re-invested the profit in the right areas we would be in fine shape for next season. We need a right back, centre back and another number nine. My worry would be selling Mitoma, that would be really disappointing.
What could be exciting - and worrying - for Brighton fans, is who is listed as the most valuable goalkeeper.
Using a model that is based on over 8000 player transactions worldwide between July 2014 and March 2024, Brighton's first-choice goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has the highest fee for that position - 64m euros (£54m).
In what has become quite a successful business model for the Seagulls in recent years, the club brings in lesser known talents and develops them into sought-after players that can be sold on for a much higher price.
And while from a financial perspective it keeps the club in a healthy position, some fans are beginning to ask at what point they stop being a selling club and are able to keep these talents for themselves and their own success.
Just this week, our Brighton fan writer suggested "two big-money sales is arguably the maximum the Albion should consider" this summer.
But, with four players ranked in the top 100 most valuable, how realistic will that be?
Midfielder Carlos Baleba ranks highest at 78m euros (£66m), followed by forwards Yankuba Minteh at 70m euros (£59m) and Joao Pedro at 68.7m euros (£57.9m).
With possible fees all above £50m, it could be difficult for the club to turn down offers, and this is without taking into account any potential sale of Kaoru Mitoma who brings in interest in every transfer window.
However, with a young manager heading into his second season in charge and the importance of these players to the side and Fabian Hurzeler's style, supporters will be hoping to avoid another season of transition so they can focus on European ambitions or silverware success.
So, how do you feel about the high value of Brighton's players? Just how many could the club afford to lose if they want to achieve their aims?
What if... the season was about what happens when you concede first?published at 08:20 BST 4 June
08:20 BST 4 June
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
As the dust settles on the 2024-25 Premier League season, we have been taking a look at some of the alternative ways the the table could have finished...
"We never do it the easy way."
Something muttered by many a football fan as they watch their side go 1-0 down again.
As frustrating as it can be watching from the stands or on the TV, it is a position some teams thrive in.
Luring the opposition into a false sense of security, it is almost as though they do not get going until they have given the other team a chance.
And if the league was measured on how well a team bounces back after conceding the first goal, then this season would have seen Brighton coming away with a Premier League title.
There were 17 occasions in 2024-25 when the Seagulls conceded the first goal, but from those they came back to win five and draw five - rescuing 20 points in the process.
It will not have made for comfortable watching for the fans, but it does show the tenacity of Fabian Hurzeler's side to turn a match around.
The sign of champions is to win when you are not at your best and that is what Liverpool did this campaign. They may not have have conceded first as often as Brighton, but they still came back to win four times and draw seven.
It will not have always helped the cause of those chasing European spots, but Newcastle, Fulham and Aston Villa all showed the resilience that they could go one-goal down and still get much-needed points from a game.
At the other end of the scale, while some teams thrive in this situation, others flounder.
Nottingham Forest surprised many onlookers going from relegation candidates to battling for a Champions League spot in less than 12 months.
But key to that was their defence. There were not many occasions where they went 1-0 down - however, when they did, their ability to turn it around was in relegation territory.
The silver-lining for Reds fans, though, is that they really did make it difficult for the opposition to get in front and this is a strength they will hope to build on going forwards.
Knoop and Stern to exit as part of backroom reshufflepublished at 18:55 BST 3 June
18:55 BST 3 June
Goalkeeper coaches Marco Knoop and Jack Stern will leave Brighton this summer as head coach Fabian Hurzeler shakes up his backroom team.
The club have also confirmed the Seagulls boss will appoint a replacement goalkeeping coach and recruit a new set-piece specialist, with Knoop also responsible for defensive set-pieces in his one season at the Amex.
Stern joined the club in 2022 and had signed a new deal last summer.
"On behalf of everyone at the club, I take this opportunity to thank Marco and Jack for their efforts here," said Hurzeler.
"Marco is returning to Germany and goes with our thanks and best wishes. He made a lot of sacrifices to join me in England, and I will always be grateful to him for that.
"Jack and Marco have helped us to achieve a successful season in my first campaign at Brighton and I wish both well for the future."
Technical director David Weir added: "It's never an easy decision when people leave the club and I echo Fabian's sentiments.
"Jack has been part of a very successful period for club, working under Graham Potter, Roberto de Zerbi and Fabian.
"We thank both for their service, professionalism and hard work and wish them well for the future."
'Two big-money sales the maximum Albion should consider'published at 12:57 BST 3 June
12:57 BST 3 June
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
The past two summers have been one of considerable change at the Amex.
In 2024, Brighton signed nine players for £193m and appointed a new head coach. Yet 12 months earlier it was outgoings that dominated the Albion news cycle.
The midfield pairing which had taken Brighton into the Europa League were sold, Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister bringing in a cool £150m combined.
Everyone knows the Albion have a model. Buy young players. Develop them into stars. Sell if a buying club offers more than Brighton value said player at.
The model means any of Kaoru Mitoma, Joao Pedro, Carlos Baleba, Bart Verbruggen and Jan Paul van Hecke could depart this summer, depending on who or what you believe.
But there is a growing feeling among some Seagulls supporters that the model might need to change slightly. And much of it comes from decision-makers at the club publicly describing 2024-25 as a transitional season.
The implication is that a young squad and young manager will be better in 2025-26 for the experience gained in the campaign just finished.
But if Brighton were then to sell off the family silver this summer, the risk is that 2025-26 becomes a transitional season again.
Young and inexperienced replacements take over from Verbruggen in goal, Van Hecke in defence, Baleba in midfield and Mitoma out wide.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea or whoever else benefit from the work the Albion put into developing those players in that transitional 2024-25 campaign.
Mitoma seems most likely to go. He is 28 years old and deserves to achieve his long-stated dream of playing Champions League football. Pedro's off-field issues may also ease the way for his exit.
Two big-money sales is arguably the maximum the Albion should consider.
What cannot happen is selling in one summer the entire spine of a team who have shown they have the potential to challenge for the top five. No matter how good the money might look on a balance sheet.
Gossip: Seagulls monitor Sheffield United's Arblasterpublished at 07:59 BST 3 June
07:59 BST 3 June
Brighton are keeping tabs on the progress of Sheffield United midfielder Ollie Arblaster, 21, as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. (Teamtalk), external
What can Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton spend this summer?published at 14:03 BST 2 June
14:03 BST 2 June
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Bournemouth have the lowest matchday revenue in the Premier League, with a 11,379 capacity at the Vitality Stadium.
Yet they have recruited shrewdly and the big-money sales of Dominic Solanke and Dean Huijsen during 2024-25 means they could easily part with £100m to bring in new signings.
Brentford are among the best run businesses in the league and their approach of "spotting players that other clubs have not considered, such as Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, is likely to pay further dividends as they are attracting attention from clubs with big budgets", said football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
"The Bees have no PSR concerns and could spend up to £200m, but are unlikely to break the bank for the sake of it as this is not the way that owner Matthew Benham conducts affairs at the club."
Meanwhile, another club on the south coast, Brighton, are also in rude health heading into the next transfer window.
The Seagulls have earned £200m in profit over the previous two seasons and could repeat last summer's heavy spend of more than £200m if necessary.
However, chief executive Paul Barber has already indicated they will more likely return to their tried and tested model of bringing in relatively unheard of players from unfamiliar markets.
Brighton's biggest challenge is more likely to be keeping hold of the likes of Joao Pedro, Carlos Baleba and Kaoru Mitoma, who are all attracting admiring glances from clubs with bigger budgets.
Image source, Getty Images
