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Exclusive: Brighton turning Aaron Mooy loan into £5m permanent deal

Aaron Mooy has been the subject of interest from a broad range of Premier League clubs - AFP
Aaron Mooy has been the subject of interest from a broad range of Premier League clubs - AFP

Brighton are turning Aaron Mooy’s loan into a permanent deal to ward off interest from Premier League clubs.

The Australia midfielder, 29, is at the Amex Stadium for the season from Huddersfield but Graham Potter will secure his first “signing” of the January window in a deal worth £5 million.

Mooy has been the subject of interest from a broad range of Premier League clubs but his only match of the season for Huddersfield, in a defeat to Derby, means he cannot play for a third club in one season due to Fifa rules.

Brighton have moved swiftly to make sure they land the former Manchester City player rather than be involved in a bidding war at the end of the season.

Potter’s team are just above the relegation zone but Mooy has been one of their better performers this season.

He has two full seasons on his deal at the John Smith’s Stadium and Huddersfield are willing to listen to the right offer for him and use the funds to invest in Danny Cowley’s squad.

Mooy has played in the wins over Tottenham and Arsenal this season, missing just one Premier League match since the end of November.

Potter is hoping that Mooy will help secure their survival in the next four months before being a key part of his team next campaign.

He has played in central midfield but has also been deployed on the left, as he was for the defeat at Bournemouth this midweek. They have not earned maximum points in 2020 but have a winnable run of games coming up.

Mooy’s route to the Premier League started in Scotland with St Mirren before returning to Australia with Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City ahead of his move to the Etihad Stadium. After helping Huddersfield get promoted he moved there permanently but was allowed out following relegation.