Brighton news: Verbruggen’s big valuation – how much are others worth?

What a footballer can bring to a team and its fans can often be said to be invaluable, but every player has a price.

And for some, that is a very expensive one.

According to research from Swiss research group CIES Football Observatory, the current most valuable player in world football is Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who could command a fee of around 400m euros (£340m) if someone dared to ask.

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?

Let us know