Albion boss Sami Hyypia has held talks with Leo Ulloa over his future and urged him to stay.

The Seagulls have so far rejected three bids from Premier League newcomers Leicester City for their Argentinian goalscorer.

Hyypia reiterated his desire to keep hold of Ulloa following Saturday’s opening 5-0 friendly win at Lewes.

The Finn revealed to The Argus: “I’ve sat with him and I’ve said to him I would like him to stay. I would like to work with him and that’s it.

“I’ve said my opinion and what ever happens then happens. Hopefully when we play on August 9 against Sheffield Wednesday he is on the pitch.”

Asked about Ulloa’s reaction, Hyypia said: “The talks between him and me stay between him and me. I don’t have any intention of giving the details out.”

Hyypia fielded a different eleven in each half at Lewes, bolstered by players from the development squad.

Ulloa signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans after featuring in the first 45 minutes.

He is known to be happy and settled on the South Coast with his family and would prefer to achieve his ambition of Premier League football with Albion but has also been disappointed by the scale of investment in the squad.

Inigo Calderon, Kazenga LuaLua, Craig Mackail-Smith and two-goal Shamir Fenelon (formerly Goodwin) got Hyypia’s reign off to a winning start.

The Seagulls fly out to Pinatar in Spain on Wednesday for games against Partick Thistle on Saturday and Real Betis five days later.