Albion striker Mark O’Mahony is set to join League One outfit Portsmouth on a season-long loan.
O’Mahoney, 19, has made three first team appearances for Brighton under their former boss Roberto De Zerbi and also featured in the pre-season trip to Japan.
The Republic of Ireland under-21 international could also play for Brighton tonight in the Carabao Cup round two clash against Crawley Town at the Amex Stadium.
That’s according to former Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi, who handed the talented teenager his full Premier League debut against Bournemouth at the end of last season.
The News understands the Blues are expected to announce the loan signing of the 19-year-old striker this week – after he fulfils Carabao Cup duties for Brighton against Crawley on Tuesday night. A deal has already been struck for the former Cork City striker who has also passed his Blues medical – with a potential Wednesday unveiling pencilled in.
That will give the Republic of Ireland under-21 international time to work his way into John Mousinho’s plans for Saturday’s visit of Sunderland to Fratton Park. It will also provide him with the opportunity to make only his fourth league appearance in England after arriving at the Amex Stadium from the League of Ireland in January 2023.
Back then, that deal cost the Premier League side a meagre £50,000 – which is, no doubt, way off what the Seagulls currently value the player, especially after De Zerbi claimed O’Mahony is already better than the hugely-rated Ferguson in aspects of his game.
‘Maybe Evan has a different shot but Mark is better in terms of possession, he understands the play better.’