Celtic and Brighton to go head-to-head for ex-Manchester United midfielder Nick Powell

NICK POWELL finds himself in the middle of a transfer tussle between Brighton and Scottish champions Celtic.

Chris Hughton’s Seagulls are back in for the Wigan goalscorer after he turned them down last year.

But Glasgow giants Celtic are willing to offer Powell, 24, a lucrative contract to tempt him north of the border.

Brendan Rodgers is happy to sort out a deal in the January window or take him next summer.

Brighton would pay £5m to get him into their improving squad.

The ex-Crewe man, who won over Sir Alex Ferguson in a matter of minutes, is back doing what he does best after his Old Trafford nightmare.

Powell can leave Wigan for nothing at the end of the season and is waiting for an offer at the DW Stadium.

But he would need to be given a massive pay rise from his current salary of close to £1m a year.

Wigan are due to be taken over in the next few weeks following a lengthy process with their would-be Far Eastern owners.