Brighton close to signing Piquionne

Frederic Piquionne could be the new striker Gus Poyet has been searching for after it emerged the Albion are in contract talks with the West Ham forward.

Sources in the national press claim the French attacker, who counts Portsmouth and Monaco among his former clubs, is close to signing for the Seagulls, although Poyet may face some last minute competition from Championship rivals Leeds United.

Piquionne has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Premier League newcomers and appears to fit the bill as the sort of centre forward Brighton have spent all summer trying to sign.

He has one France cap and scored two goals in eight loan appearances at Doncaster Rovers last season.