Brighton & Hove Albion are one of the clubs chasing Hammarby’s Bazoumana Touré.
Back in September, Fotbollskanalen stated Brighton had sent a scout to closely follow the 18-year-old in action for the Swedish club. The following month, the same outlet reported the Seagulls are one of the clubs leading the race to sign the winger.
Three days ago, Fotboll Direkt reported Brighton are on the verge of beating competition from four Premier League sides for Touré’s signature.
As well as Fabian Hürzeler’s side, Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arsenal and Manchester United have shown interest in the youngster.
Hammarby sporting director Mikael Hjelmberg has been discussing the Ivorian’s future on Fotbollskanalen podcast Lundh. Brighton and the player’s other interested parties have received encouragement to try and sign him in the winter market.
“Believe it or not. I would think that maybe it will start to move properly at the end of December, or especially in January. But I wouldn’t be completely shocked if there were offers for him before Christmas,” he said.
The official has revealed the young attacker’s suitors have already approached Hammarby, he mentioned this when asked if interested clubs have contacted the Swedish club and Touré’s agent.
“Yes, they are contacting his agents of course. There are some clubs that have contacted us too. Then there are new clubs written about in the media every day that I don’t know about. But there are quite a few. That’s how it is,” Hjelmberg explained.
“There are many clubs asking about him and there are many clubs who are curious about what it would cost to buy him. We’ve been quite clear about what we think – and maybe that’s why there hasn’t been anything concrete yet.”
With regards to the attacker’s asking price, he said: “There’s no price tag attached to him. But I’ve told Bazou and his representatives that if we’re going to sell this winter, it should be for a Swedish record.”
When the director was told the fee would be around €11-12m, he said Hammarby would need “at least” that to sell Touré.
Brighton and others have been told the conditions needed to sign Touré in January.
