Brighton eye Sheffield United star as potential Billy Gilmour replacement | OneFootball

Ollie Arblaster has been identified as a potential Billy Gilmour replacement for the Seagulls

Sheffield United could lose the services of Ollie Arblaster with hours left in the transfer window with Brighton and Hove Albion keen.

According to Football Insider, the Blades midfield maestro has been identified by Brighton as a potential replacement for Billy Gilmour, who has been linked with a move from the AMEX Stadium to Serie A giants Napoli in recent days.

Arblaster shone on loan at Port Vale in the first half of last season and continued his fine personal form for United despite a dismal relegation from the Premier League, before taking to the Championship like a duck to water in the heart of Chris Wilder's midfield.

Ollie Arblaster could become Brighton's Billy Gilmour replacement

Gilmour has been linked with a move to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for a reported €15m fee, which, on Thursday afternoon was said to be "off", as a result of new Albion recruit, Matt O'Riley, sustaining a serious ankle injury in the Seagulls' EFL Cup Second Round victory over Crawley Town on Tuesday night.

However, it was reported by Sky Sports on their Live Transfer Blog (30/08: 09/40) that the Serie A outfit remain hopeful of striking a deal which has seen many of the finer details agreed and an initial fee of £12m plus potential add-ons mooted, with talks between themselves and Brighton progressing through Deadline Day.

It has since been reported that Fabian Hurzeler's men have sourced their replacement in the form of Arblaster, as per this latest update from Football Insider on Friday lunchtime.

The report states that Gilmour is also pushing for a move to Naples, and although Albion are reluctant to see the Scotland international depart, they may be forced into a sale given his desire to express a new challenge in Serie A.

Therefore, Arblaster is said to have appeared as his replacement, should the former Chelsea man get his way, having caught the eye of many outsiders for his performances at Bramall Lane, which have seen him handed the captain's armband on three occasions, with the latest of those coming last weekend against Norwich City - in which he also netted his second strike of the season so far.

Brighton identifying Ollie Arblaster shouldn't come as a surprise

Given Brighton's recruitment policy, which has remained unchanged under a plethora of managers, it's hardly a surprise that a player of the 20-year-old's current calibre and future potential has been sourced in the latter stages of the window.

Arblaster has showcased his ability at top flight level in a struggling side, and the chance to continue such a trend in an exuberant side who have won their opening two games under their new German boss is an exciting prospect.

However, given that the deal hinges on numerous factors, Blades fans will be hoping they can retain the services of the England U20 international, with limited time available for Wilder to source a replacement of his own.