Three first-team players Brighton risk losing for nothing as contracts near end

The January transfer window is around the corner and clubs will be looking to add to their squads in the month and ahead of the next season.

Ones that look forward to the following campaign can sign players over the age of 23 on a pre-contract deal meaning they will finish the season with one club and then immediately join another without there being a transfer fee.

Albion currently have three first-team players who may be offered deals elsewhere and will be free to negotiate their future exit from the club.

If this happens then Albion could lose out on not only having the players for next season but also in potentially millions of pounds in transfer fees.

The three players that could negotiate with other clubs are Jurgen Locadia, Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck.

Brighton and Hove Albion striker Jurgen Locadia

Locadia has had a tough time since joining from PSV and has never really reached the heights expected of him.

Graham Potter had brought him back into the first-team fold following his loan spell at FC Cinncinati, although he is yet to score for the club since his return.

Gross however has been a regular in the Albion side since his move from the German side FC Ingolstadt 04 in 2017.

The 30-year-old has contributed 25 assists and 15 goals in 137 Premier League appearances for Albion.

Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Pascal Gross

Although the club have been linked with younger players in his position the experience Gross has could still be a useful asset for the club if he was to be offered a new deal.

Welbeck is the last regular first-team player whose contract is running out. The striker signed a new deal to stay at the club in June after scoring six goals and assisting three in 24 Premier League appearances last season.

The 31-year-old has missed a decent chunk of this season with a hamstring injury but is close to making his return to action for the club.

Brighton and Hove Albion striker Danny Welbeck

The team have struggled for goals during his absence and if Welbeck comes back fit and firing then a new contract for him could be a good idea before he is snapped up by someone else.

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Albion could easily make the decision to let the players go and find replacements, but the experience of Welbeck and Gross would most likely be hard to acquire again.