Brighton ‘trying to close’ 23-year-old’s signing in ‘short time’ – Progress made after negotiations ‘unblocked’

Brighton & Hove Albion have ‘persistently followed’ Ajax defender Calvin Bassey for several months, according to Calciomercato.it.

The Seagulls have qualified for the Europa League next season and want to improve their squad in the summer window.

Having already made a few additions to their squad, Brighton have now shifted their focus to defence, where they have identified the 23-year-old as a target.

It’s stated the Premier League side are ‘trying to close in these hours’ the deal for Bassey, who joined the Eredivisie side from Rangers last summer.

Chelsea’s Levi Colwill spent last season on loan at The Amex and the Seagulls wanted to bring him back to the club. The negotiations with the Blues have slowed down, and Roberto De Zerbi’s side shifted their focus to the Nigeria international.

Brighton faced difficulties initially but the report states the ‘negotiation has been unlocked and has undergone a surge’, which is why the parties are working to finalise the deal in a ‘short time’.

According to Calciomercato.it, the operation to sign Bassey should cost Brighton around €15-20m.