JUST In: Big update on Graham Potter’s return

Brighton are opening talks with Graham Potter this week over a sensational return to the club, sources have told Football Insider.

The Seagulls’ top choice was Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, but he is expected to sign a new deal to remain at Portman Road after helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League.

Brighton have now turned their attention to Potter as they consider re-appointing their former boss, who quit the club for Chelsea in September 2022.

The top job at the Amex Stadium became available when Roberto De Zerbi decided to leave Brighton at the end of the season.

Brighton could appoint Graham Potter to replace Roberto De Zerbi

Potter previously enjoyed a successful three years with the Seagulls as he helped the club cement their place in the Premier League before joining Chelsea.

The Englishman would only last a matter of months at Stamford Bridge before he was sacked in April 2023 following an unconvincing spell in west London.

Potter, who holds a 43.4 per cent win rate as a manager, could now be in line for a remarkable return to the south coast as talks are scheduled with the Seagulls this week.

Brighton are looking to replace De Zerbi after he helped the club record an 11th-place finish, with chief executive Paul Barber admitting they already had potential targets in mind in preparation for the Italian’s departure.

Potter has been linked with several jobs since leaving Chelsea, but he’s bided his time as he waits for the right opportunity to present itself.

That could potentially be a return to the Amex, with Brighton expected to hand their next manager a healthy transfer budget after big player sales last summer helped boost the club’s coffers.