Derby County have been handed a huge boost in their effort to keep hold of star man Scott Carson, with Brighton now looking elsewhere in their keeper pursuit, according to Bleacher Report journalist Dean Jones.
Earlier this week it was reported that the Seagulls were set to offer £2.5 million for Derby’s 32-year-old stopper, having seen a previous bid rejected, but now the saga appears to be over and Derby will keep their man.
According to Jones, Brighton have agreed a deal to sign Fulham keeper David Button as their new second choice after the stopper spent last season playing second-fiddle to Marcus Bettinelli inbetween the sticks at Craven Cottage.
The 29-year-old former Brentford keeper made the switch to West London rivals Fulham in 2016 and impressed during his debut campaign, making 40 appearances as Fulham suffered heartbreak in the play-off semi-finals.
However, Marcus Bettinelli’s rise saw the experienced keeper demoted to second choice, making just 20 appearances, most of which came during the first half of the season when the Italian was struggling with injury problems.
The news comes as a huge boost to Derby boss Frank Lampard, who has already seen Andi Weimann leave the club for Bristol City and last season’s top scorer Matej Vydra heavily linked with a move away from the IPro stadium.
Button will become the third senior keeper on the books at Premier League club Brighton, alongside Australian international and first choice Matt Ryan and Jason Steele, who signed earlier in the window from relegation Sunderland.
