Richie Towell expected to finalise big move in the next 48 hours

The Airtricity League may be about to lose its hottest property.

PFAI Player of the Year Richie Towell is roughly 48 hours away from completing a move to Championship high flyers Brighton and Hove Albion, according to the Irish Independent. Brighton are currently second in the Championship, but are level on points with league leaders Hull City. Towell met Brighton boss Chris Hughton at the club's training ground last week and admitted to the Independent that a deal could be struck with a club before the weekend.

"The clubs in for me now are very ambitious sides that are Premier League-ready."

Last month reports emerged linking the 24-year-old with a move to League Two outfit Bristol Rovers, but Towell admitted he was never going to move from the greatest league in the world for any team lower than Championship level.

"It's just about trying to sort out the final things. I never rush into anything - I always like to have a look at every angle. Going to League One or League Two was never really an option for me." "I want to go to improve my career; prove myself as a player and to be successful."

Towell hit phenomenal form in Dundalk's double-winning season bagging 29 goals including the winner in the FAI Cup final against Cork City. He believes that if he were to continue that form with a Championship side in January, he may be able to break into the Irish team in time for Euro 2016.

"Everyone knows how confident I am and I do think I am good enough to break into the Ireland squad." "I know they have a really strong side - I'm not being disrespectful to any of the players in it - but I'd back myself over anyone any day." "Luckily enough, I played for the U-21s alongside Jeff Hendrick and James McCarthy as the midfield trio. I'd love to recapture that."

He added that Roy Keane told him he broke his heart with that decisive goal against Cork City, but he hopes to be seeing a lot more of the Ireland assistant manager soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzmQpGiyGN0