Albion are weighing up their next move with Alexis Mac Allister after securing him a work permit.

The attacking midfield is on loan at Boca Juniors and currently involved with Argentina under-23s in the Olympic qualifying tournament.

He could join up with the Seagulls this month.

Albion had hoped to secure permission for Mac Allister, who does not have an EU qualification,  to join them if employment laws changed after Brexit.

He was, in theory, also only a couple of international appearances away from qualification for a permit.

But that was a longer shot than it looked.

He has not yet appeared for the Argentina senior side in competitive action and only made the most recent squad, when he remained an unused sub, as a last-minute call-up for the injured Roberto Pereyra.

He would have had to get into the team ahead of, among others, Lionel Messi to earn caps which counted towards a work permit.

However, a source has told The Argus the club "took an opportunity that arose to put his case in front of The FA’s panel".

The permit means all options are open in this transfer window.

For now, Mac Allister is still on loan to Boca for the season.

He comes available at a time when Albion are widely thought to be in need of more creativity.

it is understood Albion would have to pay a fee to cut short his loan.