This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson looks like he will have to start planning for life without centre-back Adam Webster, with Brighton close to completing a £20million deal for the player, according to a report on BBC Sport.

No deal has been finalised, but the Seagulls are close to securing the 24-year-old, who joined the Robins from Ipswich in the summer of 2018.

Webster enjoyed an excellent campaign last season and was one of the second-tier's standout centre-backs with his commanding performances a consistent feature week in, week out.

So would a potential £20m move for Webster from the Robins to the Seagulls be good value for money?

We discuss........

Sam Rourke

"It's a big sum to fork out for a player who has no Premier League experience.

"However, Webster was one of the best centre-backs in the Championship last season, putting in consistently strong displays at the heart of the Robins' defence.

"He's superb in the air, strong in the tackle and has the ability to play out from the back, so you can see why a team like Brighton are keen, especially with Graham Potter in charge who is a big advocate of playing attractive football.

"In this day and age, you have to expect to pay upwards of £15m for the best Championship talent and with Webster only 24 years of age, you feel there is more room for him to grow and develop as a player at the Amex.

"If Lewis Dunk is reportedly worth £40m then this appears a good signing for £20m."

Kealan Hughes

"Although Webster has had a very good season and is very highly-rated by his club, hence why the fee is so high, it does seem like a ridiculous sum of money to spend on a defender who has never played above the second-tier.
"However, with Harry Maguire possibly going for £80million and Brighton's Lewis Dunk being eyed as his replacement for £45million, then it makes sense that Brighton will have to spend big on Dunk's replacement.
"Webster is already a complete defender and there are not many aspects of his game where he is lacking - he is comfortable on the ball, good in the air and strong in the tackle, whilst his awareness and reading of the game was exceptional for The Robins last season.
"Losing him would also be a big blow and given he has a few years left on his contract the club is not in a position where it needs to sell, and although it is more than Brighton would want to pay, it still represents good value for money, as long as he continues his current rate of development."

Jacob Potter

"I’m really not sure he’s worth that much in all honesty.

"The transfer market continues to amaze me, and the price being quoted for this potential deal, is absolutely laughable.

"I know that promising English defenders are always going to have an inflated price, but this is just ridiculous.

"Webster isn’t even going to start for Brighton if he signs, as Duffy and Dunk are better and more experienced options to have in Potter’s squad.

"There are much better options out there at a cheaper price for Brighton, and I think it would be a ludicrous price to pay for a defender that doesn’t have any experience of playing in the Premier League.

"This would be a huge mistake by Brighton to pay this much, and there would be real expectation on Webster’s shoulders if they did pay that much for him."