Man Utd and Chelsea beaten by Brighton in James Beadle transfer chase with 17-year-old tipped to be England No1
BRIGHTON beat Manchester United AND Chelsea to the signing of England Under-18 star James Beadle.
The 17-year-old has been tipped to become the Three Lions' senior No 1 and the Seagulls swooped to land the promising teen from Charlton right under the noses of the Premier League big boys.
Brighton completed the £400k deal at the turn of the year.
And East Londoner Beadle – who moved into local digs down south – signed pro terms on a two-and-a-half year deal despite technically still being a second-year scholar.
SunSport reported in October Chelsea were eyeing a £400k move.
But the West Londoners weren't the only Prem giants keeping tabs with Manchester rivals United and City also trying to sign him in recent months.
Beadle's ability was being admired from all corners at Charlton – where he spent nine years.
And having shot up from 5ft 11in to 6ft 5in in the past year, he is now considered to have the physical attributes to make it to the very top.
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Beadle has been a regular with England at Under-17 and 18 level recently.
And he was instrumental in helping Charlton win the Professional Development League 2 South title last season.
The stopper doesn't turn 18 until July but is expected to be a household name in years to come.
A source close to the deal told SunSport Beadle has 'every chance of becoming England's senior No1 if he carries on like he is'.
However, his initial target is to establish himself in men's football which will likely involve a loan spell or two away from Brighton.
The south coast side have an excellent track record of producing goalies which should give Beadle hope.
Graham Potter currently has three keepers in his squad – Robert Sanchez, Kjell Scherpen and Jason Steele.
Sanchez joined Albion in 2018 before loan spells at Forest Green Rovers and Rochdale saw him gain the necessary experience to make the No 1 spot his own when he got the chance.
Big things are also expected from Carl Rushworth, 20, who has been at the Amex for three years and is now on loan at Walsall after a spell at Worthing.
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Christian Walton, 26, was on the Seagulls' books from 2013 and only left on a permanent deal for Ipswich this month.
Brighton's goalie coach Ben Roberts is one of the best in the country.
And – along with their excellent track record of goalie production – that helped sway Beadle toward snubbing City, United and Chelsea in favour of the Seagulls.
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