Brighton and Hove Albion are set to be Leeds United to the signing of Luton Town right-back James Justin, according to Football Insider.
The football news site claim that United have made an approach for the England Under-20 international as they look to land a new right-back after Luke Ayling underwent ankle surgery.
Football Insider report that Brighton are now in the driving seat to land Justin, 18, by the transfer window cut-off next week.
It is said that they are in advanced talks to land one of the best prospects in the Football League as Seagulls boss Chris Hughton sees him as a star in the making.
Luton are reluctant to lose Justin as they look to win promotion from League Two this season, but Brighton are ready to meet their asking price for the player and offer the teenager the chance to move to the Premier League.
Good move for Leeds?
Justin is an England Under-20 international and a rising star. He has already accumulated 56 Luton appearances, 16 of which have come this season, and proved to be real force on the right flank. It is some achievement to be a first-team regular for a division-topping side at such a tender age. But Leeds’ pursuit of Justin is not entirely logical, even though 2017-18 Championship ever-present Ayling is not expected to play again this season. Leeds are well stocked for right-backs, with Gaetano Berardi and Vurnon Anita proven performers in that position, and new left-back Laurens De Bock made a steady debut in last weekend’s 4-3 defeat to Millwall. Surely, the focus should be on signing a new centre-forward?
This Is Futbol rating 5//10
Likely to happen?
Justin is the typical signing of the Andrea Radrizzani/Victor Orta era, young, unproven in the Championship and with the potential to be a star of the future. It appears Leeds will miss out on this occasion, given the greater financial muscle of Brighton. With Justin an unused substitute for Luton last weekend, it suggests a move is not far away. Expect him to be confirmed soon as a Seagulls player.
This Is Futbol rating 3/10