There are two sides to every story - and sometimes both sides can be right.

That is how it is in the ongoing saga of where Dale Stephens will be playing his football next season.

In a perfect world, the influential midfielder will be strutting his stuff in the Premier League with Albion.

That may not be the case. I expect the Seagulls to be in the Premier League next season, perhaps without Stephens.

That was the impression I got during a candid, pre-match press conference prior to Ipswich's draw at the Amex last week.

To recap, Burnley made multiple attempts to sign Stephens during last summer's transfer window.

Albion chairman Tony Bloom stood firm and Stephens continues to play a major part in the club's second successive automatic promotion challenge before his contract runs out at the end of the season.

Burnley made six bids in total for Stephens, the last of them a package deal of around £8 million.

Bloom, since it is his money subsidising the club, would have been well aware at the time that Albion would, a few months later, announce a near £26 million loss for last season.

His overall investment in the club is in the region of £250 million.

He could have clawed back getting on for a tenth of that by flogging Stephens to Burnley, Anthony Knockaert to Newcastle and Lewis Dunk to The Argus: Crystal Palace.

Bloom (above), fortunately, is not just a wealthy owner. He is also a fervent, lifelong fan.

Having gone so agonisingly close to promotion, how would it have looked to supporters if Albion had then sold their best players?

He made a correct and calculated call. By keeping them the Seagulls would be better equipped for another crack at reaching the Premier League and its vast financial rewards.

What of Stephens? He was understandably upset at missing out on a triple opportunity - playing at the highest level with a healthy increase in his pay packet back in his native North-West.

He handed in a transfer request, but not until the closing stages of the window. He did not refuse to play - an increasingly common and inflammatory tactic.

He issued a statement to supporters, expressing his frustration and disappointment at the club's stance.

Since then, he has knuckled down and got on with the job of helping Albion go one better this time They are a much better team with him than without him.

The record with him in the starting line-up this season proves it, 16 wins, four draws and no defeats.

At Barnsley on Saturday, Stephens played a significant role in Albion's victory, invariably breaking up opposition attacks and rarely conceding possession cheaply.

An aura of authority in the middle of the park is absent when he is not there.

There is no incentive for him to sign a contract at the moment. Understandably, he is keeping his options open.

Albion would miss him if he goes. That will be a certainty if the unthinkable happens and they are denied promotion again, still a possibility even if the dream is achieved.

The Seagulls would, in those circumstances, be blessed with ample funds to absorb losing him for nothing and to sign a replacement, without cause for any rancour or recrimination from supporters.

Bloom and Stephens have both played a good game - regardless of the final result.