Report: Brighton and Hove Albion to join Leeds United in race to sign Harry Cochrane

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Brighton and Hove Albion will reportedly battle Leeds United for Hearts teenager Harry Cochrane.

According to The Scottish Sun, Brighton and Hove Albion are set to rival Leeds United for the signing of Hearts youngster Harry Cochrane this summer.

Cochrane, 16, has come up through the ranks with Hearts having initially started out his career with Rangers, and he has developed into a first-team ace under Craig Levein this season.

The midfielder has made 15 appearances for Hearts this season, scoring once – against Celtic to end their 69-game unbeaten run – and already has five caps for Scotland at Under-16 level.

Cochrane is now thought to be attracting major interest, with Premier League side Brighton now in the race, as manager Chris Hughton allegedly wants to pip rival clubs to his signature.

Can Brighton beat Leeds?

It’s noted that Leeds United asked about signing Cochrane before his big first-team breakthrough this season, and the Whites are still in the race for his signature ahead of the summer transfer window.

Victor Orta has overseen the signings of a host of young players during his time at Elland Road, with the likes of Aapo Halme, Sam Dalby, Pascal Struijk and Jordan Stevens the latest young talents to join the club.

Cochrane would be a major coup for Leeds given his burgeoning reputation in Scotland, but rival interest from Brighton may well be a real concern for the Whites and their hopes of signing the midfielder.

A path to Premier League football would be hugely appealing for Cochrane, and that may help the Seagulls beat Leeds to his signature at the end of the season, though other clubs may yet be attracted to the youngster in the coming months.