Brighton and Hove Albion are closing in on the signing of Fulham goalkeeper David Button, according to reports this afternoon.

The two clubs have agreed a fee for the 29 year-old keeper, who would act as cover for Albion’s first-choice goalkeeper Mat Ryan. Although Brighton have already procured Jason Steele from Sunderland this summer, Button is believed to be attracted to a move to the south coast and eager to test himself in the Premier League. The former Brentford goalkeeper had also been linked with a possible switch to Championship Bristol City this summer.

Button joined Fulham in July 2016 and became Slavisa Jokanovic’s number one almost immediately, making 61 appearances for the club, but he was dropped after making a costly error in the west London derby defeat by his former club at Griffin Park in December. He lost his place to Marcus Bettinelli and had to watch from the sidelines as Fulham put together an unbeaten 23-match league run in the second half of the season, eventually securing promotion to the Premier League by beating Aston Villa at Wembley in the Championship play-off final.

Button has recently entered the final year of his current contract at Craven Cottage and Fulham would be happier to receive a fee rather than allow their number two goalkeeper to leave on a free transfer next summer. Press reports last month suggested Brighton boss Chris Hughton was preparing a £4m move for Button, but there has been no subsequent discussion of the rumoured fee.