Brighton & Hove Albion

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At the fan forum on Wednesday, one supporter kept his question simple: Why do Brighton always sell their best players?

Albion chief executive Paul Barber replied: "The reality is that pretty much every club in the world is a selling club at the right price - anyone that says any different doesn't really understand football.

"Our business model has always been that we will buy young players, hire the best coaching staff to develop them, give them the chance to play in the first team and negotiate the best possible deal when the time is right.

"We will build our club sustainably like that. We can't always rely on Tony [Bloom] to fill in the gaps and usually at a club, the only gaps are financial gaps. We have to build a club on its own two feet, that is less reliant on a single person to pay the bills.

"In order for a club of our size to do this, we need to have a healthy trading strategy and we have got one. The key is to make sure to never leave our coaching staff with a squad incapable of competing. That is what we try and do every year and I think we are getting the balance right.

"There are times where we want to keep a player for longer, but players also have demands and dreams for the future. The job that Tony, I and the technical staff have is to judge the right moment to sell, which is sometimes not that easy."

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During Brighton's pre-season fan forum on Wednesday, club chairman Paul Barber was asked about the rumours surrounding Carlos Baleba.

Manchester United are interested in the 21 year-old who has three years left on his contract at Amex Stadium.

"There's always going to be interest in our players." Barber said. "Manchester United have not been in touch with me. Speculation is speculation."

"Carlos is a fantastic talent. We hope he'll be here for years to come - but its subject to the dynamics of the football world, which isn't always predictable."

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Manchester United are on the lookout for someone who could strengthen their midfield and skipper Bruno Fernandes has called for new signings.

And they like Carlos Baleba.

The problem is Brighton's desire to sell, which is non-existent, and owner Tony Bloom's negotiating tactics. Hard line.

That is not to say United could not get Baleba - it is just that it would cost an enormous amount of money, probably in excess of anything United have spent so far this summer.

It is not obvious where the money would come from, because even if they can sign Benjamin Sesko without selling players first, eventually they will have to.

And it would take more than getting rid of the 'bomb squad' which even the club accepts is likely to be later in the window.

The key point is whether United look for an alternative or keep their powder dry for Baleba, either in case circumstances change dramatically in this window, or, more likely, for next summer.

Manchester United have contacted Brighton through intermediaries to explore a potential move for Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, 21. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Join us live from Amex Stadium at 19:00 BST on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Sounds for a special Albion Fans' Forum.

Hear from head coach Fabian Hurzeler, chief executive Paul Barber and BBC Radio Sussex's Brighton commentator Johnny Cantor as they take questions from the audience and discuss the season ahead.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Brighton.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Matt: The love affair began in November 1994, as I first stood in the North Stand for Reading at home. I remember we lost 1-0 when Nicky Rust was chipped in the far corner! The result was not important as I got swayed around in the stand and enjoyed the chants and that was it - the Albion for life. To this day, home and away, it is engrained into my life! Roll on Fulham.

Terry: My dad used to work at Clark's bakery across the road from the Goldstone. I was 10 when he took me to my first match in 1971 and we won. I was hooked and have followed the Albion ever since.

Best players ever have been Peter Ward, Mark Lawrenson and Brian Horton. They would still hold their own in today's team. Watched Teddy Maybank and Robert Codners' debuts but the less said about them, the better. More success to come!

Send us your pictures and stories here

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Brighton have confirmed the return of Bjorn Hamberg to the club as under-18s head coach.

The 40-year-old Swede previously served as a first-team coach under Graham Potter during his time at the Amex, before following Potter to Chelsea and later taking up an assistant head coach role at Dutch side Feyenoord.

Hamberg now rejoins the Seagulls in a key role within the academy set-up to help guide the next generation of talent through a crucial stage in their development.

Academy manager Ian Buckman said, "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Bjorn back to the club. He is a popular figure with players and staff who aligns with our vision and values for the development of our young players.

"Bjorn brings outstanding knowledge and experience having worked at Premier League and Champions League level, and he will undoubtedly impact our scholars through this key period of their development."

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex reporter

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To the majority of supporters, quite rightly what happens out on the pitch is the most important part of following a football team - the elation and the agony.

Sometimes, however, what happens when a group of people come together in an hour of need gives us an insight into the fabric of an organisation.

Saturday, 22 August 2015 was a day, unfortunately, I will never forget.

As I prepared to broadcast the Seagulls' game against Blackburn Rovers I could never have imagined what would unfold. It was certainly the most challenging of my broadcasting career.

That afternoon, 11 people were killed when a Hunter jet crashed into the A27. Among the victims was Matt Grimstone, who had worked for the club since he was 16, going back to the Withdean years. Another, Jacob Schilt, who was a fan and featured in the club's charity team, was travelling with Matt on their way to play for Worthing United in a local game.

The club immediately turned its training ground into a hub for the emergency services due to the proximity of the centre to the crash site. Support was given to those on the frontline dealing with the immediate aftermath of the crash. Professional councillors were made available to players and all staff to help deal with a very difficult situation.

Following that, tributes and dedications were made across Sussex but the way Brighton, led by Tony Bloom and Paul Barber, provided support for everyone internally and externally epitomises the way it prioritises its role within the community.

Brighton did the same during lockdown, allowing the stadium to be used as a vaccination centre.

There are countless examples of how they always focus on communication and perspective.

Excitement is building before the club's ninth season in the Premier League, but the 10th anniversary of Shoreham is also just a few weeks away. When the day comes, I am sure we will all take a moment to reflect.

One thing is for sure, the club will do the right thing, in the right way.

Join the conversation and tell your story about why you love Brighton

Opta's Supercomputer has once again predicted the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season by using a model to simulate every match 10,000 times.

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It is not yet clear if the team that finishes fifth in this season's Premier League will secure a Champions League spot again as that outcome depends on how representatives performance in Europe this season.

Therefore, based on needing a top-four finish to reach the Champions League and fifth getting the Europa League, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are favourites again, but there is still plenty of hope for others.

Aston Villa agonisingly missed out on Champions League qualification on the final day, but in almost a third of simulations they do force their way into a top-four spot this time around.

Newcastle's focus may be on trying to keep star striker Alexander Isak, but currently the Supercomputer predicts the Magpies to finish sixth most often, and a top-four finish in 29.9% of simulations.

Meanwhile, after Crystal Palace's strong end to last season brought a first major trophy, the Eagles are given more than a one-in-five chance of a top-four finish. They manage that achievement in 21.6% of sims, ahead of rivals Brighton (16.8%).

In their second season under Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton are predicted an eight-placed finish in the majority of sims.

The Supercomputer ranks Bournemouth (10.1%) and Nottingham Forest (8.9%) as outside shouts for European football this season.

Perhaps surprisingly, Brentford are predicted to have a strong season despite losing Thomas Frank and key players Bryan Mbuemo and Christian Norgaard - with Yoanne Wissa also looking likely to exit.

If as many as seven or eight Premier League clubs can qualify for Europe next season, the door could be open for a surprise team to sneak in.

Read Opta's full Supercomputer breakdown here, external

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Brighton have appointed Yannick Euvrard as set-piece coach in Fabian Hurzeler's backroom team.

The 39-year-old has spent the past two years at Anderlecht, working on set-plays as part of the Belgian side's data analysis and performance team.

Hurzeler has said he is "delighted" with the addition, with technical director David Weir adding: "

Hurzeler said "We are delighted to welcome Yannick as part of the coaching team, and he will work with the team on defensive and offensive set-pieces."

Technical director David Weir added, "Yannick has built up an excellent reputation in Belgium and we are pleased to bring in his expertise in an area that continues to be game-changing at our level."

Euvrard, a right-back in hisplaying days, started his coaching career with the Belgium national team and was part of their staff at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

A new episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast has dropped on BBC Sounds.

This week, Johnny Cantor and former Brighton player Warren Aspinall discuss what was learned from the 2-2 draw with Southampton 2-2 draw and the club's decision to spend time in Spain during pre-season rather than at a potentially more lucrative tournament.

Listen to the full episode here

Brighton Boy: Ever since I first laid eyes on Kaoru Mitoma swiftly weaving in and out of helpless defenders, I loved Brighton. My first live game was against Everton in 2022. We were fighting for Europe that season, but we lost by a harsh score - 5-1. Although I had witnessed a great loss, I came out of Amex Stadium with a new spark of love for the team. I'd been watching the Albion for a bit, but that moment was when I knew…..Albion was the team for me.

Send your pictures and stories here

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

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'Why did you fall in love with your club?'

This week, we have asked hundreds of football fans across the world that very question and got hundreds of different answers.

Yes, the themes might be similar - born near a ground; family supported the team; watched a certain player - but the individual story will be unique to each supporter.

The relationship between a fan and their club should not be underestimated, with people ploughing uncountable amounts of money, time and emotional energy into their support for their team.

But what is that makes us love our clubs the way we do?

"A lot of it comes down to our identity," researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs told BBC Sport.

"We become part of this group that means so much to us. It becomes a way to find a community that you're a part of and to find a group of people that, no matter where you are, you could find a pub with other fans of your team. You have that kinship.

"In a world that's increasingly quite lonely, this provides one of the ways that we can have connections so we can have the feeling that we're part of something bigger."

Connection and identity plays a big role in someone's love for their club - particularly when it is a family link.

Many fans talk of being born into who they support - that the connection is so strong there was no other team they could, or would, have chosen.

"The great thing with football is that there's such a strong heritage component to it," Sarver Coombs said. "Often, your grandfather, father, mother or whomever was a fan of the team, so it's part of your family's tradition.

"It's handed down from generation to generation."

The uniqueness of football fandom is something researchers are increasingly investigating.

An article, external published earlier this year in psychology journal Frontiers discusses how football fans often follow follow teams with 'significant attachment and commitment, sometimes to the bewilderment of those outside of the game'.

"With football clubs, you have decades of tradition that you can tap into and it's going to keep coming," Sarver Coombs added.

"Players come and go, managers come and go, shirts change, badges change, but the club itself - the heart and soul of it remains constant. You always have that piece that you're tied to, so the longevity of clubs is a really important part.

"But also, that constant in-person opportunity to be present in a community space really sets football apart from other passions that may be transient or do not have that constant engagement."

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discuss Brighton's footballing model.

The Seagulls have kept their friendlies low key this summer and The i Paper's Daniel Story thinks that was Fabian Hurzeler's idea.

Storey said: "I sat down [at Brighton] behind the scenes last season and you find yourself agreeing with them even if you go in with a cynical eye or looking for a weakness - you come out trusting in them."

Listen to the full episode of BBC Sounds

We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Brighton and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

Alan: Started when I was seven at the old Goldstone Ground. My dad took me there. I remember players like Flash Gordon, Des Tennant, Glen Wilson, Jimmy Langley and Jimmy Leadbetter. I am now 86 and still support the club through thick and thin.

Send your pictures and stories here

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Yankuba Minteh found the net twice but Brighton conceded a two-goal lead to draw with Southampton in their latest pre-season friendly.

Earlier on Saturday, the Seagulls played the Saints in a 60-minute match behind closed doors, earning a 1-0 win.

But the full encounter saw Minteh score either side of the break, only for Jay Robinson and an Adam Armstrong penalty to pull Saints back to parity.

Brighton have now won four and drawn one of their summer fixtures, beating Coventry and UD Las Palmas 2-0, Stoke 3-1 and Wycombe Wanderers 6-1.

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Brighton have secured the signing of teenage midfielder Kofi Shaw from Bristol Rovers.

The 18-year-old, who started his career at West Bromwich Albion before joining Bristol Rovers in 2023, will move the Seagulls' under-21 side under Shannon Ruth.

Ruth said: "We're really pleased Kofi is joining us. He's an exciting talent who already has good experience of men's football after breaking into the Bristol Rovers team in the second half of last season. He has lots of potential and we're looking forward to working with him and helping his development."

During a loan spell with Yeovil last season, Shaw scored twice for the club and became the second youngest scorer in Yeovil's history.

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Brighton midfielder James Milner says he will wear the number 20 shirt for the 2025-26 season as a "mark of respect" to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month.

Milner played alongside Jota for three seasons between 2020 and 2023 before leaving Anfield to join Brighton. The 39-year-old also travelled to Portugal for the funeral of Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the start of July.

Liverpool have retired the number 20 shirt worn by Jota in his five seasons at the club but Milner has opted to take the vacant shirt number at Brighton, after team-mate Carlos Baleba decided to switch numbers for the upcoming season.

Speaking to MyAlbion TV, external about his decision, Milner said: "Once I heard Carlos [Baleba] was looking to change his number and 20 was available, I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and to obviously pay tribute to Diogo Jota.

"He was an amazing player, who I was fortunate to play with, and he was a great friend as well.

"It will be a great honour to wear his number in the Premier League this year."

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Juventus have joined Atalanta, Napoli and Roma in showing an interest in Brighton's 24-year-old Denmark international midfielder Matt O'Riley. (Sky Sports Italia), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Brighton and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Matt:

"The photo is the oldest ticket I have, but not my first game. I remember my dad taking me to a night game in around 1986-87 season when I was eight or nine. The fog had rolled in, and the game would have been called nowadays as we could barely see past the 18-yard box from the South Stand.

"As the ball was hoofed forward into the mist, the stand would fall silent as, blind to the action at the other end, we would patiently wait for 'ooohs', groans and eventually a cheer from the North Stand.

"I don't remember the score, just the ridiculous evening of anticipation, comradely and celebration. I was hooked."

Join the conversation and send your best photos about why you love the Seagulls.

Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories

Norwich City are considering a move for Brighton forward Abdallah Sima, 24, to join up with Senegal team-mate Papa Amadou Diallo, who signed for the side on Thursday. (Pink Un - subscription required, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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There is something unique about a football fan's love for their club.

As once said by the great Arrigo Sacchi: "Football is the most important of the least important things in life".

Tears of joy - and heartbreak. Friendships forged. Memories that last a lifetime.

Sometimes it is there from the beginning, sometimes a moment is what starts it all or takes it to another level.

Wherever it comes from, the love for a club is often there for life.

As a new season edges closer, we want to know why you love Brighton.

When was the moment it all began?

What is your most special memory?

Your first home game? Earliest shirt? A seminal away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories