Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany is tracking Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen - but it will cost the Bundesliga giants £50million to tempt the south coast club into cashing in.
Kompany is a huge admirer of the 22-year-old Holland international, having worked with him at Anderlecht. He tried to sign Verbruggen when he was manager of Burnley only for Albion to move in with a successful £16.5million bid and the opportunity for him to play at the top of the Premier League.
Now Kompany sees Verbruggen as the successor for 38-year-old Manuel Neuer, who has just over a year left on his current Bayern contract. Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Verbruggen this summer.
The Londoners have seen No 1 Robert Sanchez make a catalogue of high-profile mistakes and the Spaniard has lost his place in the team to Danish youngster Filip Jorgensen. But the opportunity for Verbruggen to link-up again with his former boss at one of the biggest clubs in the world in Germany would be tempting.
Verbruggen has been outstanding for Brighton this season as they challenge for European qualification, with the Dutchman "loving" his time at the club. "It's really important to raise the bar again and show this level every game," he said last month.
"We need to show this intensity every week. I'm loving it. Everybody wants to play every game - same goes for me. I really love to play every game and develop and help the team. We have a very strong squad, with a lot of good attacking and defensive options - that's a big strength of ours. I'm really happy to be part of it and great things are coming."
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler also recently hailed Verbruggen after he assisted Kaoru Mitoma in a win over Chelsea, with the goalkeeper bouncing back after making an error against the Blues in the previous game.
"We have to also mention Bart Verbruggen, because after his mistake in the last game, to show this personality, to show this reaction to make this assist, it speaks for him," Hurzeler said. "The goal was great touch, great individual action by Mitoma, but you always need someone who assists you.
"I think the 7-0 [defeat to Nottingham Forest ] was crazy, but in the end, we analysed, we don't overreact. I think it's very important to stay calm, to do the basic things right, and we tried to work hard and bounce back on the pitch.
"The most important [thing] for us is we make the Seagulls supporters proud and we give them what they deserve, and I'm happy for them that my team gave them this night."
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