Brighton are ready to break their transfer record for the third time this summer after making a £28million bid for Genk midfielder Sander Berge.
Berge, 21, is a Norwegian international who is also wanted by Premier League new-boys Sheffield United and Italian giants Lazio.
The Blades were reported to have had a £22million offer rejected as they look to build a team for the top-flight.
And the Seagulls have now swooped with a rival bid that seems certain to seal the deal.
Berge's arrival would mean the south coast club have backed new boss Graham Potter with almost £90million in the summer market.
Brighton set a new transfer record in June when they paid Genk £18million for Belgian winger Leandro Trossard.
On Saturday, they invested £20million on Bristol City defender Adam Webster.
Another £18million was been spent on Brentford's French striker Neal Maupay on Monday.
And they also paid £3.5million to bring in Matt Clarke from Portsmouth before sending the defender on loan to Derby for the season.
Now Berge looks set to become Brighton's most expensive buy.
Berge, who has played for his country at every level since being capped as an Under-15, began his career with Asket Fotball.
The defensive midfielder then moved to Norwegian top-flight side Valarengen in 2015 before joining Genk in January 2017.
He helped the Belgian club reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season.
Genk have tabled a lucrative new four-year contract in a bid to tempt Berge from following in the footsteps of Trossard.
