Albion are on the brink of a permanent deal for a new striker – even though the transfer window has closed.

The Seagulls finally tied up the loan return of Newcastle winger Kazenga LuaLua and bought rookie Norwegian striker Torbjorn Agdestein before last night’s 6pm cut-off.

They ran out of time to land the more established front man they have been chasing but his move could be concluded within the next 24 hours.

Manager Gus Poyet confirmed: “We have been working very hard and we have a deal already in the pipeline for a new striker.”

The Argus can reveal that Albion asked about Swansea’s much- travelled marksman Shefki Kuqi as the deadline approached.

They can sign a player permanently outside of the transfer window, providing he is a free agent.

That is what happened with Bas Savage, who joined the Seagulls in 2008 after cancelling his contract with Gillingham.

LuaLua will be with Albion until January 3. Agdestein, a Norwegian under-19 international, has been bought for about £25,000 from second division club Stord, who also have a 15% sell-on.

Agdestein, like LuaLua, is ineligible for tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash against Leyton Orient at Withdean, as he was signed after midday.

Poyet missed out on a number of other targets in the last couple of months, for a variety of reasons.

He said: “We really targeted very, very high. Sometimes it’s difficult, because of where we are. There are players that are too expensive in terms of transfer, salary, players that don’t want to come to League One or want to come to League One but maybe not Brighton.

“You don’t know that until you really get in contact with the player’s agent or the club so we were close to many but not close enough to sign them.”

Poyet still has the option of short-term loans when the window re-opens next week. He said: “I am not a huge fan of short-term loans but it is something we will have to look at. The problem is that clubs have instant recalls after 28 days.”