Graham Potter and Sean Dyche issue contrasting updates on Dale Stephens switch to Burnley

Dale Stephens is close to completing his move to Burnley

Burnley manager Sean Dyche confirmed the club were “almost there” in their bid to sign Brighton midfielder Dale Stephens.

Speaking after the Clarets’ 2-0 win at Millwall in the Carabao Cup third round, he admitted they were close to bringing in the 31-year-old.

“We are dotting i’s and crossing the t’s so we are almost there,” Dyche said on Stephens.

“He is a player I have liked historically and fits in financially. He is an experienced player and I tried to sign him in the past. That is more or less done.”

Graham Potter, who guided his Brighton team to a comfortable 2-0 win in the Carabao at Preston, was non-committal when quizzed on his midfielders future.

"No, he is not gone," Potter said. "He had a tight hamstring from the weekend and wasn't in the team. There's always speculation at this time of year."

Brighton set up a Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Manchester United as they eased past Preston 2-0 at Deepdale.

Second-half goals from Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Alexis Mac Allister were enough for the Seagulls to advance, and they will now host Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side next week.

They also face United in the Premier League this Saturday, likely without Stephens.