Albion are closing in on Barnsley striker Chris O'Grady.

The centre-forward is expected to complete a £500,000 move to the Seagulls on a three-year contract, subject to passing a medical.

Barnsley are not due back from their pre-season tour in the Italian Alps until Tuesday but O'Grady has flown back early to finalise his switch to the Amex.

The much-travelled 28-year-old is not a direct replacement for Leo Ulloa, who is on the verge of joining Leicester for a fee in excess of £7 million.

The Seagulls were already tracking O'Grady, 28, to boost manager Sami Hyypia's striking options.

Craig Mackail-Smith was the only orthodox forward available to Hyypia for last night's 3-1 friendly defeat by Real Betis in Spain, with youngster Shamir Fenelon sidelined by a slight knock.

Midfielder Nzuzi Toko also missed the Betis defeat with a leg injury which is also understood to be minor in nature.