TEAMtalk previously reported that Aston Villa, along with Leeds United and Newcastle United, are monitoring Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Carl Rushworth. Brighton are preparing to approve his permanent departure this summer, a decision influenced by the increasing likelihood that their main goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, will remain at the club for at least one more year. According to TEAMtalk, sources close to the situation believe a significant factor is that Manuel Neuer is expected to sign a contract extension at Bayern Munich, which would end their immediate pursuit of Verbruggen. Carl Rushworth has 12 months left on his contract and has stated that he will not sign a new contract if he is not guaranteed a starting role. Consequently, Brighton are open to selling him but are expected to request a buy-back clause and a significant sell-on percentage as part of any agreement. Sources suggest that despite interest from other clubs, Rushworth's preference would be a permanent move to Coventry City, where he had a successful loan spell.