Newly-promoted Chinese Super League squad Tianjin Quanjian is reportedly targeting Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Beram Kayal in a $3.7 million deal in the ongoing Chinese winter transfer window.

The Sun reported that the same Chinese club "that wanted (Chelsea striker) Diego Costa" has "slapped in a £3 million ($3.7 million) bid for the Israel international" and Brighton is considering the offer.

Like Us on Facebook

However, Brighton head coach Chris Hughton is said to be unwilling to let go of his prized midfielder at this point as it can greatly affect the chances of the Seagulls to get promoted to the Premier League next season. Still, the club is keen on selling the player to raise funds for the upcoming summer window.

Brighton is currently second in the EFL Championship table, only two points behind league leaders Newcastle United, with 18 games left in their campaign this term. Reading is breathing down their necks at third place, four points behind in the overall standings and Hughton reportedly wants Kayal to stay until the end of the season, according to Football League World.

The Israeli stalwart has been a key part of Hughton's midfield this season alongside Englishman Dale Stephens.

Kayal, 28, was acquired by Brighton in January of 2015 from Scottish Premiership club Celtic FC for an undisclosed fee. In one-and-a-half seasons for Albion, the 5-foot-10 Jadeidi, Israel native had appeared in 61 games in all competitions, scoring three times mainly as a central midfielder.

He spent four-and-a-half seasons with Celtic before that and had scored three times in 132 appearances in all competitions.

Chinese Super League teams have until Feb. 28 to finalize their winter transfer deals and Quanjian, being one of the China top-flight's promoted squads this coming season, is eager to strengthen their side by adding prime reinforcements from Europe.

The club had initially targeted Costa in massive $37 million-per-year offer earlier in the window, but Chelsea blocked the offer.

At the moment, Tianjin has Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel, Brazilians Alexandre Pato and Geuvânio, and South Korean midfielder Kwon Kyung-won as their official foreign players.

TagsChinese Super League, Chinese Super League rumors, Chinese Super League rumors 2017, Beram Kayal, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Tianjin Quanjian