The Argus understands that Brighton & Hove Albion are set to complete the signing of Norwegian international centre back Vegard Forren. The 29-year-old is a free agent and any transfer would go through right away. Chris Hughton wants defensive cover whilst Shane Duffy is out of action.
Tonight, Brighton travel to lowly Rotherham United as they look to bounce back from consecutive defeats in the Sky Bet Championship. Uwe Hunemeier is set to deputise for former Blackburn man Duffy, who is set for at least six weeks on the sidelines. Forren is without a club after electing to leave Molde in January.
Forren appeared all set to join Nicklas Bendtner in signing for Rosenborg, but Brighton look set to swoop for the talented defender. It wouldn’t be the first time Forren has played his football in England either, as he endured a largely forgettable spell at Southampton, who he signed for in 2013 but failed to make a first-team appearance. After signing from Molde, he would rejoin his former club later that year.
The defender, who has 33 caps for Norway, has been a transfer target of Aston Villa and Leeds United in the past according to The Argus. He is likely to pen a contract at the Amex Stadium for the rest of the season. The likelihood of that extending should depend on if Brighton are a Premier League club or not next season. The fact Southampton paid £4million for him four years ago clearly highlights the talent he has, even if the English population haven’t necessarily seen that for themselves, not yet anyway.
