Brighton launch cheeky bid for Chelsea right back Tariq Lamptey — report

Tariq Lamptey has supposedly agreed a pre-contract with Lille yesterday — though it should be pointed out that a couple weeks ago, he also reportedly agreed a new contract with Chelsea — which would mean that he’d leave for just a paltry compensation fee at the end of the season. It’s apparently worth it for Lille however to get him in earlier than that, and they are thus hoping to possibly convince Chelsea to sell now (presumably for a slightly higher fee). If Lamptey is to leave, that’s certainly a reasonable option for all involved.

But nothing happens in a vacuum, especially in the transfer market. Sensing an opportunity, Brighton & Hove Albion have launched a £6m bid for the 19-year-old (are they the previously “unnamed” Premier League club who had tabled a pre-contract as well?). The Mail’s story adds that Lamptey would prefer to stay in England, which could give Brighton the edge if Chelsea are indeed resigned to selling now (instead of trying to convince the youngster to stay at the club where he’s been since age 6).

If we are to let the kid go, £6m isn’t the worst return for a player with a grand total of three substitute appearances at senior level, especially if a buy-back or a sell-on (i.e. discount re-buy) is included.