Brighton and Hove Albion are readying a bid for Oldham Athletic defender Tom Hamer, according to a respected football journalist.
Alan Nixon is reporting on Twitter that Brighton are "likely to bid" for Oldham youngster Hamer.
Hamer has recently broken into the Oldham first team and the Seagulls are eyeing him as one for the future.
The 18-year-old recently signed his first professional deal with the Latics, having worked his way up through the academy system at the club.
After making his first team debut in the Checkatrade Trophy in January, the young defender has gone on to make eight appearances in all competitions this season.
Hamer has started the last four matches for the Latics and picked up an assist for Ducken Nazons against AFC Wimbledon recently.
With just one match remaining, Oldham are out of the relegation zone by one point with a worse goal difference than relegation rivals Rochdale.
Hamer will be focused on keeping his side in the division but Brighton are already planning a summer swoop.
The two clubs already have a good rapport with Brighton sending young defender Rob Hunt to Oldham, initially on loan and then permanently.
And Hughton will wish to utilise their positive relationship to snap up Hamer this summer.
The Verdict
Hamer already looks at home at League One level despite his young age. The 18-year-old has a bright future ahead of him but he needs to make the right move at the right time. Perhaps he should remain at Oldham and spend at least another half season playing regular football at a decent senior level before heading to the Premier League, where he would probably be chucked into an academy or farmed out on loan elsewhere in an unfamiliar setting.
Oldham fans - Can you keep Hamer this summer? Let us know below...