Standard Liege manager Ivan Leko insists he is confident that Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Steven Alzate will be remaining at the club until the end of the season.
The Croatian has been speaking to DH Les Sports abut the situation at the club and around Alzate, who recently returned from a period back in England.
The midfielder has been on loan with the Belgian side since the summer when his loan deal from the previous year was extending after the first season proved to be stop start due to injuries.
While he was back in England there was continued speculation that Brighton were looking to move him on permanently, preferring to sell the midfielder this month than lose him on a free in the summer when his contract expires.
They were shopping Alzate around Europe as a result, offering to several sides in Europe in the hope of someone biting.
That led to fears at Standard that they were set to lose their key player at an inconvenient time of the season, although they were eased somewhat when he returned to Standard this week.
For now, it appears he’ll be remaining where he is, with Leko of the opinion that Brighton are yet to find a suitor.
“His club had touches to sell him but that no longer seems relevant,” he said.
“So yes, I hope Steven will still be there on February 1st. He had a nasty injury, and we will do everything with the medical staff to get him ready as soon as possible. Saturday’s match may be coming a little quickly.”
