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Graham Potter has made it clear Brighton did not have to sell Marc Cucurella to Chelsea – although he believes “everyone has won” with the deal.
Spain international Cucurella completed a transfer reportedly worth in excess of £60million to join Thomas Tuchel’s side as the Blues’ latest arrival, following on from the captures of Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling, Carney Chukwuemeka and Gaga Slonina.
Cucurella’s move came following a dramatic few days, with various outlets on Wednesday reporting a deal had been agreed, only for Brighton to issue a statement on social media denying that was the case.
Chelsea then confirmed the move on Friday, and Brighton coach Potter, speaking ahead of their Premier League opener against Manchester United, explained the club’s thinking.
“We didn’t want to sell him, and we didn’t need to sell him,” he said in a news conference.
“At the same time, you understand if a Champions League club comes with Champions League resources and finance, and the player indicates there is a desire to do it, it is a very difficult for us.
“We have to make sure we get the right fee. I think the right fee has been got, and it’s another situation where everyone has won.
“The player has got a great opportunity, the selling club have got a good fee, and the buying club have got a good player as well.
“So win, win, win all around. Marc was a fantastic player for us, a great guy, I like him a lot. I wish him well, and we move forward as a group.”
