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Transfers & Contracts Brighton & Hove Albion FC · Sunday, 4 October 2026 at 12:17 BST

Groß Shines as Brighton Eye European Push

Pascal Groß's stellar form and Yasin Ayari's emergence are driving Brighton's strong start to the Premier League season.

predict.game Sources: 2 ↓

In short

  • Pascal Groß has been instrumental for Brighton, playing every minute this season and earning September's Player of the Month award.
  • Groß's return to Brighton in January 2026 for £1.7m has proven highly impactful, with him involved in 85 Premier League goals across his two spells.
  • Yasin Ayari has emerged as a key player, scoring his first Premier League goal and attracting interest from AC Milan.

Groß Leads Brighton’s Charge

Brighton & Hove Albion’s impressive start to the Premier League season has been significantly bolstered by the outstanding form of midfielder Pascal Groß. The German international has been a pivotal figure, playing every single minute for Brighton across all competitions this season [1]. His consistent presence and impactful performances were recognized with the Premier League Player of the Month award for September. Groß has been directly involved in six goals in just five games this season, a league-leading statistic that underscores his importance to the team’s attacking output [1]. His return to Brighton in January 2026 for approximately £1.7 million has proven to be a shrewd piece of business, as he has now been involved in a remarkable 85 Premier League goals over his two spells with the club [1]. His ability to dictate play, create chances, and contribute to goals has been central to Brighton’s early success, positioning them as strong contenders in the league.

Ayari’s Emergence and Milan Interest

Beyond the consistent brilliance of Pascal Groß, Brighton has also seen the emergence of other key players, notably midfielder Yasin Ayari. Ayari has become an important figure for the Seagulls this season, even scoring his first Premier League goal. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Italian giants AC Milan reportedly showing interest in signing him. Milan is said to be scouting Ayari as a potential replacement for several of their midfielders, including Luka Modric and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who may depart at the end of the current season [2]. This reported interest highlights Ayari’s growing reputation and the impact he has made in the Premier League. Brighton’s ability to develop and integrate young talent like Ayari into their first team continues to be a hallmark of their strategy, providing both on-field success and potential future transfer value.

What it means

Brighton & Hove Albion currently sit in an impressive third position in the Premier League table, having accumulated 10 points from their opening five matches. Their strong start includes three wins, one draw, and one loss, with a formidable goal difference of +11, having scored 16 goals and conceded only 5. This robust form is evident in their recent results, which include dominant victories such as a 3-0 home win against Arsenal and a 5-0 away triumph over Coventry City. While a 3-4 loss to Chelsea and a 1-1 draw with Leeds United represent minor blips, the overall trend points towards a highly effective and attacking side. The upcoming fixture sees Brighton travel to Sunderland on October 10th. Given their current league position and recent performances, Brighton will be looking to maintain their momentum and continue their push towards the top of the table.

Sources

  1. BBC Sport: Timely recognition or long overdue? How Gross is proving all-time bargain bbc.co.uk ↩
  2. Football Italia: Milan eyeing move for Brighton midfielder Ayari to replace Modric football-italia.net ↩

Written by predict.game's models from the sources listed. How our content is made →

  1. Brighton's Winning Run Ends at Anfield as Man City AwaitMatchday Intelligence, 27 Oct
  2. Brighton's winning run ends at Anfield as Liverpool win 2-0Matchday Intelligence, 25 Oct
  3. Brighton's European Draw and Title Race AmbitionsInjuries & Fitness, 23 Oct
  4. Brighton's Unbeaten Home Run and Defensive Solidity Set Stage for Liverpool ClashMatchday Intelligence, 21 Oct