Sources: Brighton battle Crystal Palace, two Prem rivals and Rangers for Sam Bell transfer from Bristol City

Bristol City are facing a battle to hang onto another of their academy graduates with Sam Bell attracting interest from a host of clubs, TEAMtalk understands.

Acclaimed team-mate Alex Scott is set to leave this summer, whilst Tommy Conway – another product of the club’s youth setup – has also been linked with some big names.

Now TEAMtalk understands that Bell – who started the season with a man of the match display against Preston on the weekend, in which he scored the opening goal – is being watched by a host of clubs.

We have learned that the Premier League quartet of Brentford, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Wolves were all present to watch Bell, whilst Scottish giants Rangers – whose Champions League qualification campaign is about to get underway – are also believed to be admirers of the 21-year-old.

In addition to Rangers, Brighton have European football to offer Bell after earning a place in the Europa League group stage.

TEAMtalk understands that City are aware of the widespread interest but are likely to move to tie Bell down to a new deal with a pay rise fitting of his current first-team status.

Largely a left winger, but someone who can operate in a variety of attacking roles, Bristol-born Bell has played 41 times for the Robins during his career so far, scoring seven goals.

Last season, he scored six times from 29 appearances across all competitions, in what was a breakthrough year for him.

 

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Sources: Brighton reject James Furlong bid

Brighton have rejected a second bid from Polish side Legia Warsaw for defender James Furlong, sources have told Football Insider.

Legia are keen to sign the Irishman, 21, who is open to a move away from Brighton in search of regular first-team football.

Furlong is highly regarded at Brighton and signed a new deal at the Amex Stadium earlier this summer.

The left-back had a spell out on loan at Motherwell in the second half of last season – and a number of clubs in League One in England have also expressed an interest in signing him this summer.

Furlong made 16 appearances for Motherwell in his half-season spell at the club last term, notching three assists.

Before that, he was a regular for Brighton’s Under-21 side in Premier League 2 competition – and has racked up 75 total appearances for the Seagulls’ youth sides.

Furlong was also named on the bench for a home clash with Chelsea in the Premier League last term – and even made his debut with a five-minute cameo against Forest Green in the League Cup.

The 21-year-old, who is a Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, signed a contract running until 2025 last month.

Furlong will be hoping to become the latest young Brighton star to make the grade in the first team – but faces competition from the impressive Pervis Estupinian.