Exclusive: Norwich set to sign Brighton ace McConville on loan
Brighton are set to send young defender Ruairi McConville out on loan to the Championship with Norwich leading the chase for him, sources have told Football Insider.
McConville has come through the youth ranks with the Seagulls in recent years, and made his first-team debut for the club in their FA Cup third round win over Norwich last month.
The 19-year-old has already been capped at senior international level by Northern Ireland in the past 12 months.
He is though now set for a temporary departure from Brighton before the transfer window closes on Monday, which could see him renew aquaintences with the Carrow Road side.
Norwich in pole position to sign Brighton starlet
McConville is yet to add to the single senior club appearance he made for Fabian Hurzeler’s side in their cup victory over the Canaries.
The centre-back is therefore set to be loaned out by Brighton to the second-tier in the final days of the current market.
Norwich are the team who are currently leading the race to secure the services of the Northern Irishman on a temporary basis.
The Canaries have already completed permanent deals for Anis Ben Slimane and Matej Jurasek in the current window, while also signing Lewis Dobbin on loan from Aston Villa.
Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side are currently just two points outside the top six in the race for a Championship play-off spot following a 1-0 win at Watford on Saturday (1 February).
Brighton by contrast endured a day to forget with a 7-0 thumping at the hands of Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
McConville is one of a number of player who could leave the AMEX Stadium in the coming days, with striker Evan Ferguson another who is attracting attention from a number of other clubs.
In other news, Sunderland have responded to an offer from Brighton for one of their young talents.
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