It is that time of the year when Albion are linked with moves for various young players around the world.

Some stories will be true, some will have an element of truth.

Others might be using the club’s name as a way to drive interest (which is a compliment in itself in a way).

The price tags have gone up but the ethos and the ability to look far and wide have not changed.

It is a way of global gold-mining which has impressed the football world and been emulated by other clubs.

But, as the spotlight returned to Lancing this week, David Weir underlined what has always been a reality and maybe misconception about the Albion method.

It is not “where do they get from?” in terms of new signings.

Anyone even half-serious about finding the best young talent in, for example, Paraguay or Ecuador, would have quickly written the names of Julio Enciso and Moises Caicedo in their notebooks.

It is about doing the deal, then looking after the player properly.

Weir has spoken about the requirement for patience with Yankuba Minteh after his arrival from Newcastle.

At £30 million, he is a big money acquisition by Albion standards.

Ibrahim Osman did not come cheap either.

But it is still a case of handle with care.

So, asked if other clubs were catching on and catching up, Albion’s technical director replied this week: “It doesn’t make our task harder.

“Identifying players and finding them is relatively easy.

“The hard part is bringing them to your club.

“What we can offer and what we have shown is that we are a club that gives young players opportunities.

“We bring in great head coaches. We make players better.

“That message is really strong and powerful.

“Maybe we cannot compete with the salaries some others can offer but we can compete on pathway and opportunity and development.

“For the right players and agents, that is really important and really powerful.

“Our reputation in the game now is such that we are that type of club.

“That is what we have to compete with and utilise to attract the best players no matter what age they are.”

The next step could be for players to see Brighton as more of a destination rather than springboard.

Their reputation will grow all the time young men such as Alexis Mac Allister and Simon Adingra enjoy success at the World Cup or AFCON while they are Albion players.

Weir said: “You look at Alexis’s story. He was a loan player, who took his time to adapt to the club and rapidly progressed and moved on.

“Simon Adingra won AFCON.”

With Lewis Dunk, Bart Verbruggen, Deniz Undav and Pascal Gross still involved, Scotsman Weir added with a laugh: “Hopefully we will have a player who wins the Euros – but I won’t say which country!

“That is a great message for everyone. The journey this club has been on is special.

“The Alexis situation and Simon situation are special.

“There has been some great stories written.

“Hopefully there are more to be written as well.

“We are going to Japan this pre-season because that has been another great story with the identification of another special player in Kaoru (Mitoma).

“That is another great chapter for the club. There has been a lot of exciting things.

“Hopefully there are a lot more and Fabian is a big part of that as well.”