Brighton & Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber has provided fans with some insight into the club’s transfer dealings, and in particular the ongoing work being undertaken by Sami Hyypia, Tony Bloom, David Burke and himself this summer.
Writing in Thursday’s programme for the Southampton friendly, Barber explains, “As ever, speculation is rife and opinions are being offered through conventional and social media platforms as to what we have been doing, what we are doing and what we should be doing!
“Transfer windows are strange beasts. They don’t always work on the inside in the way fans, journalists or other observers perceive them to work from the outside.
“It’s a complex, competitive and highly unpredictable business. And, in a climate where financial fair play is biting in different ways, cool heads and patience is absolutely key.
“I would also ask our fans to also be patient. However frustrating it may be for some of our supporters, it makes no sense for us to talk publicly about our targets, our budget or our priorities - but fans should not mistake this silence for inactivity.
“Negotiations can be long and drawn out at the best of times, but in a tournament year, the transfer window can be a much slower burn as a World Cup - or a European Championship - typically delays the start to the biggest transactions being completed and the rest of the market then follows.”
Barber also explains the need for the Albion to evolve, as the club has grown so rapidly in recent years.
“We now operate at a different level in the market from times past and we try to conduct our business quietly, professionally, and effectively without drawing unnecessary attention to our plans.
“A list of available targets in the areas we wanted to strengthen were initially identified by David Burke and his team. This preparatory work for the manager and chairman is ongoing, with David and his team working all year round, and not just during the windows.
“Subsequently, main targets were agreed between Sami and the chairman, some time ago. We know the players we want and we know the terms we can offer.
“Clearly, we want players who will improve our squad and enhance our prospects of playing at the highest level, but we are not the only club with such ambitions and therefore the transfer window is as much of a competition as the Championship itself.
“Rest assured, we will continue to work through our target list and will do our very best to secure the players Sami wants as quickly as the deals can be done. As soon as they’re completed we will let fans know as quickly as possible.”
[h=3]Albion v SOUTHAMPTON[/h] THURSDAY 31ST JULY, kick-off 7.45pm
[h=3]Albion v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY[/h] SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST, kick-off 3pm
[h=3]Albion v CHELTENHAM[/h] TUESDAY 12TH AUGUST, kick-off 7.45pm
Original article
Writing in Thursday’s programme for the Southampton friendly, Barber explains, “As ever, speculation is rife and opinions are being offered through conventional and social media platforms as to what we have been doing, what we are doing and what we should be doing!
“Transfer windows are strange beasts. They don’t always work on the inside in the way fans, journalists or other observers perceive them to work from the outside.
“It’s a complex, competitive and highly unpredictable business. And, in a climate where financial fair play is biting in different ways, cool heads and patience is absolutely key.
“I would also ask our fans to also be patient. However frustrating it may be for some of our supporters, it makes no sense for us to talk publicly about our targets, our budget or our priorities - but fans should not mistake this silence for inactivity.
“Negotiations can be long and drawn out at the best of times, but in a tournament year, the transfer window can be a much slower burn as a World Cup - or a European Championship - typically delays the start to the biggest transactions being completed and the rest of the market then follows.”
Barber also explains the need for the Albion to evolve, as the club has grown so rapidly in recent years.
“We now operate at a different level in the market from times past and we try to conduct our business quietly, professionally, and effectively without drawing unnecessary attention to our plans.
“A list of available targets in the areas we wanted to strengthen were initially identified by David Burke and his team. This preparatory work for the manager and chairman is ongoing, with David and his team working all year round, and not just during the windows.
“Subsequently, main targets were agreed between Sami and the chairman, some time ago. We know the players we want and we know the terms we can offer.
“Clearly, we want players who will improve our squad and enhance our prospects of playing at the highest level, but we are not the only club with such ambitions and therefore the transfer window is as much of a competition as the Championship itself.
“Rest assured, we will continue to work through our target list and will do our very best to secure the players Sami wants as quickly as the deals can be done. As soon as they’re completed we will let fans know as quickly as possible.”
[h=3]Albion v SOUTHAMPTON[/h] THURSDAY 31ST JULY, kick-off 7.45pm
[h=3]Albion v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY[/h] SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST, kick-off 3pm
[h=3]Albion v CHELTENHAM[/h] TUESDAY 12TH AUGUST, kick-off 7.45pm
Original article