Brighton & Hove Albion are on the verge of something special, and as they eye a potential European football campaign next season, the club faces some tough decisions in the summer transfer window. Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton believes the Seagulls will have to decide which stars they're willing to let go to "bigger clubs" as the demand for their talent grows.

"Brighton are viewed from the outside as a club where so-called 'bigger' clubs can come and poach their players," Sutton told BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast. "They are a selling club essentially. It's not what Brighton fans want, but I think they understand the model."

Currently sitting sixth in the Premier League, Fabian Hurzeler's side holds a Europa League qualification spot—a remarkable achievement that has fans dreaming of midweek European nights. But with success comes scrutiny, and Sutton highlights the challenge of squad depth. "Newcastle are a good example," he says. "They are a squad that hasn't coped with Champions League football this season, and that would be the worry for Brighton."

The veteran pundit also points to the club's reliance on key players, particularly Danny Welbeck. "The concern from the outside is how long can Danny Welbeck go on for? He's had a phenomenal season, so Brighton fans won't want him going to the World Cup—they'll want him resting and recuperating. But there are always decisions to be made at the end of every season about bigger clubs coming in for players and who Brighton are prepared to let go for a certain fee."

Still, for the fans, the prospect of European football is electric. "Champions League football is the dream, isn't it?" Sutton adds. "People talk about the volume of games players already have to cope with, and I get that. But as a fan, you want to be involved—you want those journeys across Europe with your family and the memories."

As Brighton prepare for a summer of big decisions, one thing is clear: the club's model is working, and the dream of European nights is closer than ever. For fans, the challenge now is balancing ambition with the reality of maintaining a competitive squad—but that's a problem every club would love to have.