Albion are favourites to win the race for Portsmouth whizz-kid Jed Wallace.

The Seagulls are expected to swoop again for Wallace in the summer after making a cheeky bid to sign him during the January transfer window.

The versatile teenage midfielder has built up a long list of admirers and Albion face competiton from clubs in both the Premier League and Championship, including Stoke City and Derby County.

But Wallace already has strong links with Sussex football. He is enthusiastic about a potential move along the South Coast to further his career, with Portsmouth heading down into League Two under the new ownership of a supporters trust after coming out of administration.

Reading-born Wallace, 19 last month, started at Lewes before joining Pompey. The quick and gifted prospect impressed during a loan spell with Whitehawk earlier in the season and has flourished in the first team at Fratton Park since his early recall.

He scored his fourth goal in seven outings and sixth of the season overall against Sheffield United last Saturday, a rich vein of form which has catapulted him into England Under 19 contention.

Albion offered a modest five-figure fee for Wallace in January.

They were knocked back then but are unlikely to be deterred by a considerably higher asking price during the close season.