Brighton goalkeeper closing in on transfer to Premier League rivals

Discussions with Albion No 2 David Button are said to have progressed well and a £1m deal could well be finalised before the end of the week.

Button, 31, would provide competition for West Brom's current No 1 Sam Johnstone and bring additional top flight experience to Slaven Blic's newly-promoted team.

The former Brentford and Fulham goalkeeper arrived at Brighton in 2018 but his first team outings have been very limited due to the consistent performances from regular No 1 and Australian international Maty Ryan.

Ryan featured for the first 45 minutes of last Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw against Chelsea. He was replaced by Christian Walton at halftime, who has returned from a season long loan at Blackburn.

Walton injured his ankle in the second period and was stretchered off and replaced by Albion's Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

It was thought Walton's injury could scupper Button's switch to West Brom but the Brighton medical team believe it's not as serious as first feared.

“We are hopeful it will be weeks as opposed to months before he is back,” said Albion head coach Graham Potter on Tuesday.

Brighton complete their pre-season preparations with a behind closed doors friendly against Bilic's men.

Potter will be without six of his first-team squad with Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Joel Veltman (Holland), Aaron Connolly, Shane Duffy, Jayson Molumby (Republic of Ireland) and Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden) all with their respective countries on international duty for this weekend's Nations League fixtures.

Defender Tariq Lamptey will also miss the match following his first call-up to the England under-21 squad.

The under-21s face Kosovo in Pristina on Friday at 6pm and Austria next Tuesday in Ried im Innkreis, 7.30pm.

“This is great news for Tariq and an opportunity for him to be around some of the best young players in the country," said Albion technical director Dan Ashworth.

“His performances for us at the end of last season helped earn him this call-up and we wish him all the best for the forthcoming matches.”

Brighton ins and outs so far:

IN: Adam Lallana (Liverpool), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Jensen Weir (Wigan), Lars Dendoncker (Club Brugge), Zak Emmerson (Oldham).

OUT: Leon Balogun (Rangers), George Cox (Fortuna Sittard), Anthony Knockaert (Fulham), Martin Montoya (Real Betis), Matt Clarke - loan (Derby), Aaron Mooy (Shanghai SIPG), Glenn Murray - loan (Watford), Shane Duffy - loan (Celtic).