Sources: Walsall lead race to sign Brighton's Caylan Vickers
Walsall are closing in on a deal to sign Brighton winger Caylan Vickers on a season-long loan deal, sources have told Football Insider.
The Saddlers are in the market for last-minute attacking additions, and have identified the 21-year-old as an ideal target.
Brighton have been keen to secure a loan move for the wideman since the start of the summer, and Walsall are currently leading the race for his signature.
Lee Grant's side are hoping to compete at the top end of League Two once again, and see Vickers as a player who can help them to achieve that goal.
Vickers notched 26 appearances in League One last term across spells with Barnsley and Wigan, and chipped in with a combined three goals and two assists.
Walsall eye League One experience with Caylan Vickers
Vickers is a highly-regarded young player within Brighton's youth setup, and he has become accustomed to loan spells in the EFL in recent years.
The youngster has had stints with four different clubs, but has played at League One level in each of those stints.
He has been an effective contributor in the final third in several of those loan spells, and is now in line to take the next steps in his development at Walsall.
The Saddlers are impressed by Vickers' experience at such a young age, given that he is yet to head out on loan below the third tier.
However, they could be set to change that if they get their pursuit over the line and secure Vickers' services for the 2026-27 campaign.
Brighton will accept £10m Cozier-Duberry offer
Football Insider revealed earlier in August that Brighton have placed a £10million asking price on young winger Amario Cozier-Duberry.
However, sources say that Brighton will reluctantly accept an offer for their young talent if their valuation is met, despite them being hugely encouraged by his progress.
The 21-year-old notched 20 goal involvements during his loan spell with Bolton last term, and is widely expected to have a future in Brighton's first-team.