Football
Exclusive: Brighton Tracking Torino Striker Che Adams in Welbeck Replacement Search
Brighton and Hove Albion are eyeing Torino striker Che Adams as a potential replacement for the ageing Danny Welbeck. The Scottish forward has impressed in Serie A and with his link-up play, making him a target for Albion as they plan for the future. Despite interest from other clubs, a move to Albion could offer Adams regular playing time and a pay rise. Baroni's respect may keep Adams in Turin, but the lure of Premier League football could be too tempting to resist.
Che Adams of Torino FC in action during the Serie A football... by Nicolò Campo | Getty Images
Brighton and Hove Albion are monitoring Che Adams’ situation at Torino as they begin the search for Danny Welbeck’s long-term replacement, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The former Sheffield United, Birmingham City and Southampton centre-forward has impressed since moving to Italy two seasons ago, scoring 10 goals during his first Serie A campaign and netting on three occasions so far this term.
Having also helped Scotland qualify for next summer’s World Cup finals in the US, Canada and Mexico, Adams’ is now displaying the best form of a career which started in non-league with Ilkeston Town.
But it is his movement and link-up play, which despite his diminutive stature closely resembles that of Welbeck, which has captured the imagination of Albion’s recruitment department.
Previously of Watford and Manchester United, Welbeck turned 35 in November and is unlikely to spearhead Fabian Hurzeler’s attack beyond the end of a contract which has another six months left to run.
Additionally, Brighton are attempting to tie Jan Paul van Hecke down to a new contract amid growing interest from several top Premier League clubs, but the Dutch defender is understood to be hesitant as he weighs up a potential move in pursuit of Champions League football, with the Seagulls prepared to consider offers in the region of £45million should talks fail to progress.
TEMPTATION
Adams is settled in Turin, where he is highly regarded by I Granata’s head coach Marco Baroni. Nevertheless, the temptation of cashing-in on his new-found fame by joining an established Premier League club would prove difficult to resist - particularly if Albion qualify for Europe.
Having signed him on a free transfer from Southampton, Torino are expected to demand around £15m for Adams should Hurzeler’s employers decide to firm-up their interest.
City, whose American owners had expressed an interest in bringing him back to St Andrews, could afford to meet that valuation but appear unlikely to challenge for automatic promotion from the Championship - therefore lessening their appeal.
Adams knows that a switch to Albion would not only guarantee him a significant pay rise but also regular first team football.
Out of respect for Baroni, he is unlikely to push for a return to England and has also attracted admiring glances from some of the continent’s leading names.
However, Albion would be an attractive destination given their reputation for nurturing talent and expansive style.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.