Ibrahim Osman: Brighton beat West Ham to £17m transfer target in surprise swoop

Brighton are closing in on a £17million deal to sign winger Ibrahim Osman from under the noses of West Ham.

The 19-year-old has delivered a blow to the Hammers by completing a medical on the South Coast as they close in on a full agreement with Danish top-flight side Nordsjaelland.

West Ham had multiple offers rising to £13m rejected in January but were unwilling to go any higher and continue a bidding war for the highly-rated Ghanian forward.

Brighton have signed Osman ahead of the summer when he will join up with Roberto De Zerbi’s upwardly mobile club.

Arsenal and Tottenham were also known to be scouting Osman, who made 27 appearances for Nordsjaelland last season, scoring two goals.

West Ham may now switch focus to Norwich forward Jonathan Rowe, 20, whom they have been scouting closely throughout the season.

The England Under-21 international has 13 goals and four assists in 31 games in all competitions this season.

Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, formerly of Spurs, is also among the options being considered. Ajax forward Steven Bergwijn, who also played in North London, was another option looked at in January. Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals were allowed to leave East London on deadline day.