Graham Potter issues 'fantastic' update on Celtic and West Ham target Shane Duffy

Shane Duffy enjoys a joke with the Albion fans during their 1-1 friendly draw against Chelsea

Duffy, 28, made a 30 minute appearance for Albion last Saturday as they contested a 1-1 draw against Frank Lampard's Chelsea at the Amex Stadium.

The friendly, played in front of 2,500 fans, was the first meeting between two Premier League clubs in front of a paying audience for almost six months.

Duffy took the captain's armband in the closing stages and it could be final time he is seen in Albion colours.

Celtic are determined bolster their defensive ranks and are clear favourites to sign the Ireland international ahead of Albion's Premier League rival West Ham and West Brom.

A move to Celtic seems to suit all parties. It means Albion would not strengthen a direct Premier League rival, Duffy gets his ideal move to a club he supported as a boy and Celtic gain a high quality defender in the peak years of his career.

Duffy and his representatives are believed to be in Glasgow this Tuesday to finalise details on a one-year loan deal. Celtic will reportedly pay a £2million loan fee and take on the majority of his wages.

Albion head coach Graham Potter remains a huge admirer of his defender but the arrival of Dutch international Joel Veltman from Ajax, the return of Ben White from his loan at Leeds, Lewis Dunk signing a new five-year deal and the decent form of Adam Webster means Brighton are prepared to let Duffy go.

“You understand the speculation with Shane because he is an important player, he is a big character and he wants to play football," Potter said.

“You put two and two together and it’s an obvious one. But he has been fantastic for me and he has been great in the group.

“I understand he wants to play and we need to make those decisions at the right time for him and for the team.

“At this moment he is with us, he does his best every day and he is part of your group.”

Elsewhere, Albion remain in the race to sign Uruguayan international striker Darwin Nunez from Spanish second tier outfit Almeria. Nunez scored 16 times last season but Albion face stiff competition from Benfica for the £20m rated striker.

Bentford left back Rico Henry remains a person of interest for Brighton and they are also among a clutch of Premier League teams keen on a loan deal for Liverpool's exciting young striker Rhian Brewster.

Speculation around Albion's interest in Stuttgart striker Nicholas Gonzalez also increased as the Argentine was pictured last night with Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.

Gonzalez, 22, is in high demand across Europe and is available for around £20m.

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