FSV Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel has admitted he sold Brajan Gruda to Brighton and Hove Albion this week “with a heavy heart”.
Heidel has been speaking to Kicker after Gruda completed a €30m move to Brighton this week as the Seagulls continue to spend big reinforcing their squad.
The newspaper explains that, according to their information, the deal will actually be worth around €40m if bonuses are met.
The base fee for the transfer is €31.5m, plus €5m in bonuses and a percentage on a resale in the future. That’s set a new record at Mainz, whose previous top sale was Abdou Diallo’s €28m move to Borussia Dortmund.
“Brajan came to us with the wish to be able to move to Brighton,” he said.
“We agreed to this transfer after careful consideration and with a heavy heart. Given the economic conditions of the overall package, Mainz 05 cannot afford to reject such an offer.”
It now remains to be seen if Gruda can live up to the price tag and prove to be a smart signing for Brighton moving forwards.
The fact that several reports have made it clear he’s considered a key signing for Fabian Hürzeler would suggest he’s set to be given every chance to shine.
