Paul Barber reveals how Brighton will tackle an unusual transfer window

Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber insists they are prepared for the next transfer window - no matter what shape or form it takes.
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The Premier League remains suspended until April 30 at the earliest but Barber and Brighton continue to work remotely on player recruitment and preparing for the next transfer window.

While the safety and well-being of players, staff, supporters and the wider community is of paramount concern, clubs are trying to minimise disruption to recruitment plans.

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"It's business as usual," said Barber. "We are doing our best to work from home, all of us. Obviously we can't travel, scouts and recruitment staff can't travel, but in terms of the work, preparing for the next transfer window whenever that may be, what shape or form it takes, we are still pushing forward.

Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul BarberBrighton and Hove Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber
Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber

"It would be wrong of us not to because everyone, Graham and the players are trying to do their job, I'm trying to do mine, the staff in the office are now trying to do that office work at home.

"There is no reason for the recruitment work to lessen."

The financial impact of the coronavirus is huge and will have repercussions for the country for many years to come. Barber was also asked if it could create an environment where spending vast sums on transfer fees and wages this summer is unacceptable.

“Yeah, it could be that’s where this takes us. It could be. But it’s too early to say.

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“Our real focus at the moment, and it’s the same for football clubs up and down the country and for pretty much any business that I’m engaged with in any way, is just making sure we survive these next difficult weeks and months.

“Everyone’s priority is to keep everyone in a job. Everybody wants people to stay in the job to keep the economy ticking over in some way because that's the best way to for the country to recover from the crisis. And at the same time, the number one priority is people's health and wellbeing.

“Marrying those two things, means that everything else that's going on at the moment is taking a backseat.

"That includes football, that includes thinking about the longer term consequences of where we are. We have to be focused on the here and now.”

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