Brighton 'doing everything' to agree Yasin Ayari deal ahead of January

Brighton and Hove Albion are “doing everything they can” to tie midfielder Yasin Ayari down to a new contract ahead of the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider. 

The Seagulls are locked in ongoing talks with the Sweden international, whose current deal is due to expire next summer. 

However, the South Coast outfit have the option to extend that deal by a further year, and they are prepared to take up that option if needs be in order to protect their asset.

Brighton expect Ayari to be subject to significant interest in the upcoming January window, and as a result, sources say that they are keen to tie him down to a new deal before then. 

The 22-year-old is seen as a crucial part of Fabian Hurzeler’s project at the Amex Stadium, and Brighton have no intention of losing him any time soon. 

Ayari has started in three of his team’s opening four Premier League, and scored in their 5-0 win away at Coventry City on Sunday. 

Brighton working to protect Yasin Ayari’s value

Brighton have arguably become the kings of big-money sales in the Premier League, and Ayari is another starlet who they have extremely high hopes for in the coming years. 

The youngster is at the start of his third full season as a full member of the Seagulls’ squad, and is now viewed as one of their most important players by Hurzeler. 

The club are hoping to reflect that by tying him down to a new long-term contract, and the intention is for them to have settled on renewed terms well in advance of the transfer window opening again. 

Signing Ayari to a new contract would give him further time to develop and hone his skills at Brighton, while also protecting him as an asset for the club. 

Security in terms of his contract situation will allow Brighton to command huge money if any top clubs come calling within the next 12 months, just as they have with several stars before him. 

Brighton beat Aston Villa to deadline-day signing

Former Aston Villa scout and Millwall legend Bryan King recently told Football Insider that Brighton beat Villa to secure the signing of Femi Azeez from Millwall. 

The Seagulls shelled out £15million to sign the attacking midfielder from the Championship side on deadline day, as they moved quickly to get the deal over the line. 

King has since revealed that his sources have told him that Villa were huge admirers of the 25-year-old, but were beaten by Brighton in the race for his signature. 

Azeez notched 11 goals and seven assists for Millwall in all competitions last term, but is currently sidelined through injury and is yet to make his debut for Brighton.