Brighton kept January quiet, adding experience and avoiding drama. They remain in the hunt for a top 11 finish for a fifth straight season and stay in the FA Cup after knocking out Manchester United in the third round at Old Trafford.
“I think with the signings we’ve made, we haven’t got worse. That is what we have to prove now,” head coach Fabian Hurzeler told The Athletic in August.
Prospects now hinge on Sunday’s visit of Crystal Palace, then a run including an FA Cup fourth round trip to Anfield between Aston Villa and Brentford.
Brighton paid only one permanent fee, bringing back 34-year-old Pascal Gross, and Matt O’Riley returned from Marseille. Igor Julio’s recall from West Ham enabled Diego Coppola’s loan to Paris FC and adds centre-back depth. Loans for Brajan Gruda to RB Leipzig and Tommy Watson to Millwall thin the wings, increasing reliance on Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh.
They look light at No 9, with 35-year-old Danny Welbeck and 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas the only naturals. Stefanos Tzimas is due back next season after an ACL injury.
Planning covers possible departures of Carlos Baleba and van Hecke, plus a specialist right-back with 34-year-old Joel Veltman out of contract. Revisiting striker and winger roles is likely. Spending could rise again if there is another major sale, after £200m in 2024 and about £70m in 2025, largely offset by Joao Pedro’s £60m move to Chelsea.