BRIGHTON are reportedly looking to secure Billy Gilmour on a permanent transfer after being prevented from getting him on loan.
The Scottish international midfielder, 21, burst onto the first-team fold at Stamford Bridge under Frank Lampard back in 2019.
But he slipped out of the picture following Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in the hot-seat and was sent out on loan to Norwich City last term.
However, Gilmour struggled to make an impression as the Canaries suffered relegation and found himself back at Chelsea this summer.
The ace has only appeared 11 times in the Premier League for the West London club but continues to be a regular for his country.
He was included in the Blues’ party for their pre-season tour to the USA but was then among a group of players that were allowed to leave and link-up with their development squad part way through.
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Gilmour was then initially not given a squad number but was given the number 35 shirt earlier this week.
He was then named on the bench for Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Southampton but was an unused substitute.
CBS Sport journalist Ben Jacobs has now stated that Tuchel was due to meet with the player today to determine whether to allow him to leave permanently as they expect an offer from Brighton to arrive.
The Seagulls originally only wanted to sign Gilmour on a season-long loan, according to the Daily Mail.
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But any move has to be permanent.
That is because Brighton already have defender Levi Colwill on loan from Chelsea and are unable to lend another player from the club.
Now it remains to be seen whether Tuchel will give him the green light to depart the club despite his midfield injury crisis.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk