Brighton have been in talks to transfer Polish midfielder Kacper Kozlowski to the Amex Stadium when the January transfer window opens.
The 18-year-old Kozłowski has been a regular player of Pogoń Szczecin for the last two seasons in the top flight of his homeland, and Premier League scouts have been closely watching his progress in international football.
Graham Potter quickly held talks with the teenager for a deal that would cost more than £5m before additions would be considered.
According to sources in Poland, it is “impossible to stop a player” when a Premier League club wants to buy Ekstraklasa, where Robert Lewandowski played before moving to Germany, from his league.
There is hope at Brighton that Kozlowski can follow in the footsteps of Jakub Moder, who played for Lewandowski’s former club Lech Poznan and cemented himself in the Potter squad after signing for £6m last season.
Kozłowski broke into the Polish national team this year and, after playing against Spain in June, became the youngest player to play at the Euro, breaking the record set by Jude Bellingham six days earlier.
Covid restrictions may make it difficult for German clubs in the January window
German clubs were busy in the last January transfer window, with players brought in by Bundesliga clubs including Dominik Szoboszlai, Sami Khedira and Luka Jovic. However, recent crowd restrictions are expected to impact their mid-season spending this time around.
Borussia Dortmund’s top-of-the-table meeting with Bayern Munich last week was capped at 15,000 to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. In the middle of the week, Bayern’s Champions League exhibition match against Barcelona took place behind closed doors.
Overall, brokers expect German clubs to be cautious in the market in January as they lose gate receipts as an income stream.
Last season it was a destination for Premier League side Sead Kolasinac, Shkodran Mustafi, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Demarai Gray, but other markets may be more active for players looking for regular football.
QPR and Middlesbrough keep an eye on the Rangers centre-back
Rangers centre-back Jack Simpson has attracted interest from Championship clubs who are poised to bring him back to England.
The 24-year-old arrived at Ibrox last season but fell short in the hierarchy to Calvin Bassey and has made four appearances this season.
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