The 2026-27 Premier League season will be here before we know it, with the first matches taking place on Saturday, 22 August.
We have a simple question for you - what one thing needs to change at your club before the new campaign and why?
It can be a player, manager, ticketing issue, owner, or wider change.
Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex Brighton reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesIt was set to be a big few months for Brighton's sporting director Jason Ayto.
The 41-year-old was set to oversee his first summer transfer window. The club rarely do major business in January, resolute in their belief there is more value in the market after June.
Therefore, a fair few eyebrows were raised as his departure was announced on Wednesday, just nine months after his arrival. It is understood the separation was amicable, with technical director Mike Cave providing vital continuity as he takes on the role.
Brighton place a huge emphasis on data and their success is well-documented, but Ayto's previous focus, including over a decade at Arsenal, relied more on other aspects.
The timing of the decision makes sense for both Ayto and Brighton. He can pursue other options and the Albion can focus on the start of the transfer window (15 June).
The role was new to a club that has finished in the top half of the Premier League table in four of the past five seasons. The demands on running Brighton in the top flight continue to grow.
The Seagulls also have an ambitious, young head coach in Fabian Hurzeler, who stated on his arrival that he wanted to "challenge the establishment". He embarks on a second campaign in Europe with the club still finding its way among the elite.
Brighton are never reactive, but are always decisive.
One thing is for sure, owner Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber (who deals with outgoing transfer business) will aim to support Cave and Hurzeler across a key period and leading into a year where the club is aiming to celebrate its 125th anniversary with silverware.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views after Brighton announced that sporting director Jason Ayto has left the club with immediate effect and whether it is a concern heading into the summer.
Here are some of your comments:
Olly: Obviously, for whatever reason, it has not worked out and better to make any changes at the beginning of the close season rather than at the start of a new campaign.
Luke: This is a worrying development. He was meant to be building our brilliant squad for next season in this window. Guess he is off somewhere else! Really frustrating.
Tim: Less than a year. Perhaps he wasn't bringing the right food to the table.
Barry: Begs the question why Brighton cannot retain players, nor staff. Is the problem internal? Players, staff and owners come and go, but supporters are lifelong.
Annette: It is a worry. Does Paul Barber think he can get things done in his way, rather than listen to reason? If things were right, we would still have Roberto de Zerbi.
Chris: Bad timing on the eve of a crucial summer transfer window. Our recruitment hasn't been great in the past four transfer windows and it's vital it improves this summer. Not sure how this departure helps.
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton have confirmed sporting director Jason Ayto has left the club with immediate effect.
Ayto joined the Seagulls in September 2025 as their first sporting director, having worked at Arsenal for more than a decade in a variety of technical roles.
On his exit, in a statement chairman Tony Bloom said: "I'd like to thank Jason for everything he has done for us, and to wish him well for the future."
Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber added: "Jason has been a valued team colleague on our strategic leadership group.
"I'd like to thank him for his contribution since he joined the club and wish him all the best going forward."
Technical director Mike Cave will now oversee all sporting areas of the club, working with the existing senior team and reporting to Barber.
It is rare for Brighton to get a major recruitment decision wrong but it would appear owner Tony Bloom has decided it was better for Jason Ayto to leave immediately, after just nine months in the role of sporting director, rather than limp into the summer transfer window knowing the appointment just has not worked out as intended.
The Seagulls believe that as most of the work around analysis, planning and scouting - the areas club sources say were the main aspects of Ayto's role - have been done, the 41-year-old should be released to increase his chances of getting alternative employment.
The precise reasons for the decision are not being made clear, beyond there being a number of them.
What is being stressed is the "complete confidence" in the rejigged structure to deliver the squad head coach Fabian Hurzeler needs for a campaign which, for only the second time in the club's history, will include European competition, with Brighton expected to challenge strongly to win the Uefa Conference League.
The work remaining in Ayto's main areas will be done by the south coast club's current recruitment team.
Technical director Mike Cave will lead on incoming transfers, with chief executive Paul Barber looking after significant sales, to uphold Brighton's reputation as tough negotiators, if clubs come in for the likes of Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Both men have vast experience in recruitment and know Brighton's 'model' intimately.
While Cave, who joined the club in November 2022, reports directly to Barber, will prioritise this summer's window, he will also be across Brighton's longer term plans.
How do you feel about the unexpected exit? Is it a concern heading into the summer? And what do you make of another reshuffle in your club's hierarchy?
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Brighton forward Anthony Knockaert says leaving the club may be "the biggest regret" he has in his career.
Knockaert left for Fulham in 2020 after a successful spell with the Seagulls.
Speaking to Albion Unlimited he said: "The best part of my career, I played four years here and four years I was really successful. Maybe the biggest regret I have in my career is I left this club."
Following the news that highly-decorated 40-year-old midfielder James Milner announced his retirement from playing on Monday, Warren Aspinall reflected on his career with BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor.
The Seagulls finished 11th and eighth on two occasions while Milner was at the club, qualifying for Europe for next term which they will secure fully if they progress through Conference League qualifiers.
Aspinall added: "You can say how fit he was and how he looked after himself but he still picked up little niggles. That's probably your body telling you enough is enough. Probably the family as well, his wife has put up with quite a lot and the children moving here and there, they've sacrificed a lot so I think it's time for him to sacrifice a bit for his family as well and be with them.
"We don't know what the next step for him is, probably in coaching somewhere along the line. He was always pushing himself and if he's pushing himself to the limits, he's asking his team-mates to do that and that's what he is.
"A model professional, teetotal and he has given everything up, more or less to have 24 years in the top flight."
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds
Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up
In the latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Johnny Cantor assesses the potential impact caused by the departures of Solly March, Adam Webster and James Milner.
Also, former Brighton midfielder Gary Dicker joins from the United States to talk about the players heading to the World Cup, and Seagulls defender Maxim de Cuyper shares his hopes for Belgium.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here
Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds
In a new BBC Sport documentary, James Milner reflects on a career that has ended at 40, after making a record 658 Premier League appearances with six different clubs.
Team-mates and coaches reveal the drive behind 24 years at the top.
Watch below or on BBC iPlayer here
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber says James Milner was welcome to stay at the club for a further year.
Barber says Milner's attitude both on and off the pitch makes him a "remarkable person".
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds
Watch - 'Unbreakable' - a special iPlayer documentary on Milner
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your thoughts on James Milner's time at Amex Stadium, after the 40-year-old announced his retirement from playing on Monday.
Here are some of your replies:
David: What can I say other than he is a consummate professional. He brought massive experience, superb fitness and great input to our team's cohesion. I was hoping he would stay on for another season to help with the next European adventure. I sincerely hope he will still be around in some capacity at the club. Thank you for everything.
Nigel: A huge thank you for sharing your vast experience with the players of Brighton, James Milner. You were always exciting when you came on the pitch. Have a long and happy retirement.
Graham: He was always a 7 out of 10 player, every time he played at least. He gave his all, he was very committed in tackles and he played hard but fair. He gained respect based on how he conducted himself, on and off the pitch, and he had a great footballing brain which enabled him to be successful throughout his career. He added to Brighton's solid midfield and made a good contribution to Brighton's success during the past three years.
Joe: Look, his longevity has to be admired, and of course he is revered by Liverpool and Leeds fans where his contributions were huge, but let's not kid ourselves on what this past season was: a vanity project to get him to the Premier League appearance record, mainly via two-minute 'appearances'. Once that was done, it was obvious he would retire. He had a few semi-decent games for us, but he was often poor too.
Liam: As fans, we have to take the word of insiders to know what impact a player has beyond the pitch. I'm not sure insiders have spoken more highly of any other player in many years at Brighton. The modern Premier League is so physically demanding that it was extraordinary to see James Milner compete as he did in his final season. Focus, drive, standards, expectations and energy were evident in spades. His restoration to the team resulted in a return to winning ways - it clearly wasn't a coincidence. Thanks, James.
James Milner has called time on a remarkable a 24-year Premier League career, in which he has clocked up numerous impressive and record-breaking statistics.
He made 964 senior appearances for both club and country, with his 658 Premier League appearances the most of any player in competition history.
He is both the youngest and second-oldest Premier League goalscorer, and is 10th in the competition's assist charts, providing 90 across his 658 appearances.
Those 90 assists were for 47 different players in the Premier League, with Liverpool's Roberto Firmino benefitting from more Milner assists than anyone else (10).
Among the records Milner holds during the Premier League era, there is the the most substitute appearances by a player (218), while only eight players have more than his 13 goals as a substitute in the competition.
His 658 Premier League appearances came across six different clubs and in February he became only the fourth outfielder in the competition's history to start a match in his 40s.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton midfielder James Milner has announced his retirement from playing, bringing the end to a glittering 24-year Premier League career.
The 40-year-old, who joined the Seagulls after his Liverpool contract expired in July 2023, played for six different teams in England's top flight.
After making his Premier League debut for Leeds United as a 16-year-old in 2002, he went on to break the record for the most Premier League appearances.
Milner, who could play on the wing, in midfield and at full-back, won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Super Cup, two FA Cups, two Carabao Cups, two Community Shields and the Club World Cup throughout his career.
He posted a farewell message on Instagram, external, which read: "After 24 seasons in the Premier League, it feels like the right time to bring an end to my playing career.
"From making my debut for Leeds United, who I supported growing up, at the age of 16 and becoming the Premier League's youngest scorer, I could never have dreamed of the journey I have been on, right through to not being able to lift my foot last year and then coming back to be part of Brighton qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40.
"To have gone on to represent Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton - and not forgetting a memorable month at Swindon Town - has been an incredible privilege.
"Every club has played a huge role in my life and career, and I want to thank everyone involved - the owners, staff, coaches, teammates and supporters who welcomed me and helped me along the way.
"I have been fortunate enough to experience some unforgettable moments, from fighting for survival to winning trophies, playing in Europe, and representing my country England at two European Championships and two World Cups.
"But more than anything, it is the people and friendships I have made throughout the game that I'll cherish forever.
"To the fans, thank you. To those who supported me every step of the way, your encouragement meant more than you'll ever know. And to those who gave me grief along the way, thank you too - you all played your part in making the journey memorable and helping shape me as a player and person.
"To my family, thank you for every sacrifice, every mile travelled and every moment of encouragement. None of this would have been possible without you.
"I leave the game with immense pride, gratitude and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Football has given me far more than I could ever have imagined, and I will always be thankful for the opportunities it provided.
"Thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey."
As Milner calls time on his playing career, we want your input. What did you think of his time in a Brighton shirt?
Get in touch with your comments here
Brighton will face competition from Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt for the signature of Wolfsburg's 25-year-old Austrian winger Patrick Wimmer. (Florian Plettenberg), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesDefender Adam Webster will leave Brighton when his contract expires next month after seven years and 158 appearances.
The 31-year-old defender joined the Seagulls in 2019 from Bristol City and was part of the side that earned the club its highest league finish when they came sixth in 2023 and qualified for the Europa League.
Webster suffered a knee injury during pre-season in summer 2025 and did not feature in his final campaign.
"I will never forget what you did for us, especially last season in a tough period," said Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler.
"You stepped up as a great leader. You stepped up as a great person. You really showed our principles on the pitch and beside the pitch.
"You have a great positivity in your character, and that always makes a team run, makes a team work hard and makes a team successful."
Brighton say Webster will continue his rehabilitation with the club's medical staff over the summer.
"You will come back stronger. Rehab feels lonely sometimes, but I want you to know that you should never feel lonely," added Hurzeler.
"You have so many people here in Brighton - in the team, players and staff - who will be there for you, who will support you even when you're not here any more.
"I always said to you that good things will come to good people, and you are a great person, so great things will come to you. All the best for your future. Stay strong, and we will see each other on the pitch."
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on which players Brighton should sign from the three relegated Premier League sides Wolves, Burnley and West Ham United.
Here are some of your suggestions:
Seb: I think we should be looking at the Wolves player Mateus Mane and West Ham's Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Colin: Jarrod Bowen would be brilliant.
Tony: Crysencio Summerville [West Ham], who we tried to sign before. Mateus Fernandes [West Ham], Valentin Castellanos [West Ham], or Jaidon Anthony [Burnley]. Marcus Edwards [Burnley] is a tidy footballer too.
Xavier: We need a right-back desperately after the departure of Joel Veltman, so Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham would be a great replacement as he is reliable and also affordable.
Joe: Bowen [West Ham] is the obvious, but also Summerville - as for me Diego Gomez and Yankuba Minteh are both busted flushes and need to move on. Also Wan-Bissaka as Mats Wieffer is not a right-back!
Nigel: Brighton don't need to buy from relegated clubs, but they should buy Harvey Elliott after his wasted year at Aston Villa. England U21 star who Villa did not really want.
Julian: Bowen. Had a good season and would arguably help to fill the void of missed opportunities
Image source, Getty Images
The most significant moment of the season - good or bad - was...
Brentford away. After a run of one win in 13 games, head coach Fabian Hurzeler took a more pragmatic tactical approach, utilised more experienced players and switched Jack Hinshelwood to No 10. A run of five wins in six followed.
The season has been a success or failure because...
The club secured a second successive eighth-place finish in the Premier League and a place in Europe for only the second time in their 125-year history. The promise of a first major trophy was only halted by top-quality Premier League sides Arsenal (League Cup) and Liverpool (FA Cup).
The unsung hero of the season is....
Ferdi Kadioglu. Consistency personified, went about his business with no fanfare or strops. The Turkish international showed why the club paid a big fee for him and he was crucial for his country securing a place at the World Cup via the play-offs.
If there's a player or staff member with more to do in future it is.... because...
Jason Ayto. The new Sporting Director will oversee his first summer window. The club has shown its expertise in this area for countless seasons but he, along with technical director Mickey Cave, will need to refresh the squad to compete on four fronts.
The major club issue or talking point lurking is...
The more experienced players in the squad are getting older. The question is how to utilise them as well as allow younger players to mature without letting it affect results. Roberto de Zerbi told me his biggest long-term challenge was how to replace Pascal Gross (35 in June) and Lewis Dunk (35 in November) in the future. The answer is yet to be found. Back-up for Danny Welbeck (36 in November) is also certainly under the spotlight.
The reason for hope going forward is...
The club has an incredible owner with huge expertise, a chief executive and deputy chairman who is one of the best in his role in world sport, a young hungry head coach with lofty ambitions and a squad rooted in hard work and harmony.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe number-one goalkeeper spot at Brighton will be "potentially a big headache" for Fabian Hurzeler next season, says former Seagulls defender Guy Butters.
Current first choice Bart Verbruggen, who played every minute of the Premier League campaign, has been linked with a move away - including to Spurs in Wednesday's BBC Sport gossip column.
Of their other goalkeeping options, Carl Rushworth has impressed on loan at Coventry City this season as Frank Lampard's side won the Championship, while Jason Steele will travel to the USA with Thomas Tuchel's England squad to help with training.
"We're blessed in the goalkeeping position," said ex-Brighton midfielder Warren Aspinall.
"If Verbruggen wants to leave and the right price is there, then the chairman should say, 'thank you for coming, wish you all the best' and sell him.
"Steeley has done nothing wrong when he's played and Rushworth has done ever so well for Coventry. So, it will be a fight between those two for the number-one spot if Verbruggen wants to move on."
"It will be interesting to see who's happy to sit on the bench," added Butters.
"If Verbruggen does go, I think Steeley will be thinking he deserves that number-one spot. Is the other lad willing to come to another Premier League club and sit on the bench? I think Coventry would be keen to snap him up.
"There is potentially a big headache for the manager in the goalkeeper position."
