Brighton goalkeeper David Button could soon be on his way out of the club amid reports of Premier League interest.
The Telegraph journalist John Percy tweeted (via @JPercyTelegraph) that the Seagulls are in talks with newly-promoted West Brom over a potential deal for the 31-year-old, with a fee of roughly £1m set to be paid if the deal goes through.
West Brom are in talks with Brighton over a deal to sign goalkeeper David Button. Fee of around £1m if all goes through. Birmingham have agreed a £1m fee for #wba winger Jonathan Leko, as have #swfc. #bcfc #bhafc
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) August 24, 2020
Button joined Brighton from Fulham two years ago for £4.05m (as per TransferMarkt) but has had to be content with a backup role amid the near-constant presence of Mat Ryan as first-choice ‘keeper at the Amex Stadium.
The 31-year-old has played just 11 times for the Seagulls, with only three appearances last term (all in cup competitions) and a mere four in the Premier League, which came midway through the 2018/19 campaign when Ryan was away with Australia at the Asian Cup.
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Button had the unenviable distinction of being named in the matchday squad for every league game last season but failing to make a single appearance, warming the bench for the full duration of all 38 matches (as per TransferMarkt).
While that suggests that he was Graham Potter’s go-to alternative for Ryan, the competition for goalkeeping places at the Amex has been amplified by the return of Christian Walton from his loan spell at Blackburn, where the 24-year-old was ever-present in their Championship campaign. Jason Steele is also available as an option between the sticks.
With a respectable if unspectacular concession rate of 13 goals in his 11 games for Brighton (1.18 per game), Button has done little wrong during his time in Sussex.
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However, with Walton buoyed by his year at Blackburn and no sign of Ryan being displaced any time soon, it’s unsurprising that the ex-Fulham ‘keeper may be seeking a new challenge, especially at 31, and it seems like just a matter of time before his exit is confirmed.
Brighton fans, what have you made of Button during his time at the Amex? Would it be a mistake to let him leave this year? Comment below with your views!
