Brighton set for permanent Brajan Gruda sale as RB Leipzig clause emerges

Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly set to secure a permanent transfer fee for Brajan Gruda, with details emerging of a mandatory purchase clause in the midfielder's loan move to RB Leipzig.

Although Gruda has returned to the Bundesliga on an initial season-long loan, the structure of the agreement means a permanent switch is now considered almost inevitable.

The deal allows RB Leipzig to delay the financial impact of the transfer while giving Brighton certainty over a future sale.

Reports in Germany claim Gruda's loan includes a low-threshold mandatory purchase clause.

The obligation to buy is expected to be triggered after the midfielder reaches a relatively small appearance target across the first and second halves of the season.

It is understood Gruda needs to play only around a dozen matches before the clause becomes active, making a permanent transfer highly likely in 2027.

Once the purchase obligation is activated, RB Leipzig will pay €25 million, in addition to the agreed loan fee, to complete the permanent transfer.

The structure of the agreement allows Leipzig to register the transfer as part of their 2027 financial plans rather than this summer's budget.

For Brighton, the arrangement provides clarity over Gruda's future while guaranteeing a significant transfer fee.

Gruda spent the second half of last season on loan at RB Leipzig and impressed sufficiently for all parties to favour another move.

According to reports, the midfielder was so confident of returning that he did not even give up his apartment in Leipzig.

The latest agreement effectively completes a move that had long been expected.

Brighton signed Gruda in 2024 for a reported €31.5 million, but the German struggled to fully establish himself in the Premier League.

He made 45 appearances for the Seagulls, scoring four goals and providing eight assists before returning to Germany.

With the mandatory purchase clause now in place, Gruda's Brighton career appears to be entering its final chapter.

Gruda will begin the new season with RB Leipzig, where he is expected to reach the appearance threshold required to activate the mandatory purchase clause. Brighton can now look forward to receiving the agreed transfer fee once the permanent move is finalised in 2027.