Brighton eye last-gasp £6m transfer swoop for wantaway Chelsea kid Tariq Lamptey

BRIGHTON want to strike a last-minute £6million deal for Chelsea youngster Tariq Lamptey.

The Seagulls have joined a host of clubs in the race to sign the right back, 19, and are eager to tie things up before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Crystal Palace also had Lamptey on their shortlist before swooping for West Brom’s Nathan Ferguson today.

French club Lille have been trying to persuade Lamptey to sign a pre-contract with them.

SunSport revealed that the England Under-20 international was stalling on the new deal offered by Chelsea, despite reports that he had already signed.

Blues boss Frank Lampard is very keen to keep Lamptey at the club.

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But with fellow right-sided defender Reece James having just signed a fresh long-term contract, Lamptey believes his first-team opportunities may be limited at Stamford Bridge.

If Brighton were unable to reach an agreement before the transfer window closes, they and other clubs would be free to try again in the summer when their target would be out of contract.

Buyers would still have to pay compensation to Chelsea for Lamptey, who became the seventh Academy graduate to make his first-team debut under Lampard when he came on as a sub against Arsenal in December.