Sources: Brighton close to signing Ronan Ferns from Celtic
Brighton are increasingly confident of completing a deal for Celtic sensation Ronan Ferns, sources have told Football Insider.
The Seagulls have submitted a six-figure bid for the 16-year-old centre-back and are now preparing a contract offer.
Ferns is the subject of interest from several Premier League sides after catching the eye at youth level for Celtic.
But Brighton are closing in on a full agreement as they look to finalise a deal before the end of the season.
Ferns, who is regarded by the Celtic coaching staff as a hugely promising talent, is yet to pen a professional contract at Parkhead.
Ferns has spent most of the 2022-23 season playing regularly in the Celtic Under-17s and has been utilised both in defence and in midfield.
Scotland’s Under-16 side have also called him up to represent his nation this term.
Brighton have built an impressive youth system since their promotion to the Premier League in 2017.
The south coast club sit sixth in the southern division of the Under-18 Premier League and are also flying high in Premier League 2 – ahead of elite sides like Arsenal and Man United.
Roberto De Zerbi’s senior side are also pushing hard for a top-six berth in the English top flight with the help of several highly-rated youngsters.
Evan Ferguson, Moises Caicedo and Julio Enciso are among the Under-21 stars to shine for Brighton this term as they sit seventh in the Premier League.
Ferns could become just the latest Celtic academy product to move south of the border, after exits for starlets like Ben Doak and Armstrong Oko-Flex in recent years.
In other news, Chelsea to open Brighton defender talks as Liverpool pounce.