Lucas Leiva on Brighton radar

When Brighton and Hove Albion kick off their first ever Premier League campaign, they will want to assure that they are prepared to launch a serious bid to become an established top division team. In the hunt for experienced Premier League players, the Seagulls are being linked with Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva. 

Thirty year old Leiva has been at Anfield for a decade now, showing the capability to play in his favoured role of centre midfield or drop back to help out in defence. This sort of versatility has seen him perform at crucial times for Liverpool and will also appeal hugely to Brighton manager Chris Hughton. 

Leiva's contract with the Merseyside club expires at the end of the season and it is yet to be seen if manager Jurgen Klopp will offer him a new deal. The report in The Mirror suggests that the Brazilian is happy at his current club, although he is very keen to play more football, whether that be at Liverpool or elsewhere. 

When questioned about whether he will leave Liverpool at the end of his current contract, Leiva replied “There is no doubt about my commitment to Liverpool, I just need to wait until the end of the season, work hard and make a decision together with the club."