Tom Barclay has revealed that Tino Livramento was close to joining Brighton this summer.

The 18-year-old instead signed for Southampton following his departure from Chelsea and has been a revelation in his debut season in first-team football.

What's the latest news with Livramento?

Livramento arrived at St Mary's with no experience of senior football under his belt, but that has been far from evident in the early months of this season, with the youngster turning in some excellent performances against some of the league's best sides.

Since his £5m switch from Chelsea, he's played all but four minutes in Saints' opening seven league matches and has looked at home, epitomised by the fact he's even kept Kyle Walker-Peters, who was one of Southampton's best players last season, out of the side.

p1fhfui7en5f21d2q4et1t6fppvj.jpg

ENTER GIVEAWAY

Livramento, who won the penalty that James Ward-Prowse dispatched at Chelsea last weekend, has already been rewarded with his maiden call-up to the England U21s and has since made two substitute appearances for Lee Carsley's side.

If Livramento continues his brilliant form, it'll surely only be a matter of time before he's on Gareth Southgate's radar.

However, Barclay said that it could have been so different for the teenager this season and he could have ended up at another South Coast team in Brighton.

Newcastle's new owners could spend £200m without breaching FFP! Hear how on The Football Terrace...

What did Barclay say?

When asked about their interest in Livramento, he told GIVEMESPORT: "They were definitely interested, like a lot of clubs were, both in the Premier League and abroad and it did seem like it was very close, that move."

Did Brighton need Livramento?

With Brighton currently flying high near the top of the Premier League standings, they won't exactly be regretting not signing the 18-year-old.

Furthermore, Joel Veltman has done a fine job since moving out to the right-side following Tariq Lamptey's injury before Christmas. And once Lamptey proves his fitness after such a long time out, Graham Potter will be well-covered in that department.

Should Livramento have joined Brighton he might not have had the impact he's enjoyed at Southampton, so choosing the Saints over the Seagulls has turned out to be a smart decision.