The latest installment of the repeated connection between Premier League clubs Chelsea and Brighton has sparked wider conversation about the recent history of big-money transfers between the two English sides.
As reported by The Athletic's David Ornstein, the Blues have reached an agreement to sign Brighton forward Joao Pedro for a massive fee, harkening back to other recent signings across the last few summers from the Amex.
While the connection has not quite reached the levels of Liverpool's frequent raids of Southampton, it has grown in numbers and value over the past few years. This was largely thanks to the presence of former Brighton manager Graham Potter at Chelsea, who joined to lead the Blues in September of 2022 and immediately pilfered his old club.
The Sporting News details the link between the two clubs and who has made the move to London from the south coast.
MORE: All the latest Chelsea news | All the latest Brighton news
If Joao Pedro joins Chelsea, the Blues will have spent a reported fee of over £250m on Brighton players in the last three years:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 29, 2025
Marc Cucurella - £63m
Moises Caicedo - £115m
Robert Sanchez - £25m
Joao Pedro - £50m (⏳) pic.twitter.com/4NYK58LQEo
All Chelsea signings from Brighton & Hove Albion
Joao Pedro's reported arrival at Chelsea marks the seventh time a player has moved from Brighton to Stamford Bridge, but four of those have come in the last three years.
While Chelsea have made a significant number of signings in recent years since the current ownership group took over, casting a wide net, their Brighton acquisitions have been some of their best players.
Moises Caicedo has become the first name on the Chelsea teamsheet when healthy, enjoying an excellent 2024/25 season in central midfield, while Marc Cucurella has developed into not only a Premier League standout at left-back but also a key component of the current Spain squad.
Prior to the signing of Joao Pedro, Chelsea had spent a combined €204.3 million on their three previous Brighton signings, and the rumoured €70 million ($82.3m / £60m) cost to acquire their latest Seagull would push that total up to €274.3 million.
| Date | Player | Est. Value | Contract |
| TBD | Joao Pedro | €70 million* | 7 years* |
| Aug. 14, 2023 | Moises Caicedo | €116 million | 8 years |
| Aug. 3, 2023 | Robert Sanchez | €23 million | 7 years |
| Aug. 5, 2022 | Marc Cucurella | €65.3 million | 6 years |
| Feb. 2, 1988 | Perry Digweed | Loan | 1 year |
| Aug. 1, 1952 | Johnny McNichol | €14,000 | 6 years |
| Jul. 1, 1949 | Stan Willemse | €7,000 | 7 years |
* Reported totals, not official
Who is Paul Winstanley?
It's not just the Brighton playing squad that Chelsea have raided in recent years.
Back in the summer of 2022, the Blues brought Paul Winstanley aboard to become their director of global talent and transfers.
After eight years at Brighton & Hove Albion as head of recruitment, Winstanley moved to a prominent executive role at Stamford Bridge after the clubs agreed to an undisclosed compensation package for his services.
Winstanley followed former Brighton manager Graham Potter, who made a parallel move in September 2022, with Chelsea paying a reported £21.5 million (€25m / $29.5m) to buyout his Brighton contract, a world record fee for a manager at the time.