Everton have been dealt a blow after news emerged that transfer target Solly March is set to be offered a new deal by Brighton.
The 26-year-old Seagulls midfielder is understood to be in contention for a new deal (as per TEAMtalk) after he was also touted for a potential place in Gareth Southgate’s upcoming England squad.
The Amex Stadium stalwart has been at Brighton for more than a decade but has less than two years left on his current contract. That has left the Seagulls scrambling to tie him down to fresh terms in order to protect his transfer value amid claims of interest from elsewhere.
The club had been prepared to sell earlier in the year, with the likes of Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle and RB Leipzig showing an interest, but now he is set to be offered the chance of a ‘big extension’ to his present deal.
March is also being tipped to feature in the England squad as a consequence of a shortage of available left-sided defenders. The 26-year-old has recently been used in a dynamic left wing-back role in a defensive quintet under Graham Potter, with Southgate reportedly impressed with his performances in his new position.
The England manager had to use the likes of Kieran Trippier and Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the left side in recent games, the opposite to their respective preferred flanks.
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The news will likely come as a blow to the Everton board. March is proving his versatility and adeptness in a new role, and at just 26 years old, he would have plenty of good years ahead of him in his career.
Everton’s loss will be Brighton’s gain as the Seagulls could be set to see their long-serving stalwart called up for England.
