Yasin Ayari has been something of the talk of the summer transfer window, as reports suggested that the Swede wouldn't be interested in signing a new contract. Things could change, though, as talks are still ongoing despite slow progress. 

However, the transfer window slammed shut, and Ayari remains at the club. So what is likely to happen? 

The obvious alternative, he could sign a new deal of some description. Whether that would include a form of release clause or loyalty clause to enable a transfer at the next opportunity. Brighton have offered him a new deal, but he hasn't agreed to sign anything as of yet. 

It feels somewhat unlikely that Albion would sanction a sale midway through the season, depending on the progress of Matias Orozco, who is currently on loan in the Spanish second division and playing well.

The Colombian midfielder completed his £4.8 million move on deadline day and is labelled as a very exciting prospect. If he is ready for the Premier League, we could see a similar recall to that of Moisés Caicedo's back in his Beerschot days. 

Alternatively, Ayari would leave on a free transfer next summer, but this would be a far riskier gamble to play. At only 23 years of age, Ayari has established himself as the next big player to make the move from the South Coast to a sizeable next club. A composed midfielder, he is growing into the side well, at a different level than before. 

Ayari returned to the Albion pitch during the 1-1 draw with Leeds United at the Amex.

He didn't do anything out of the ordinary or even glamorous.

However, he has resumed a higher level in the Albion midfield. Breaking up play, creates opportunities and fills into pockets. The young Swede has become everything that Albion need, and losing him at this stage feels unfathomable.

Ayari helped bring the best out of Malick Yalcouyé, who continued his good form. 

The energetic midfielder had a productive game against Leeds, and was helped by having a fellow smart partner in Ayari. Yalcouyé has certainly been the surprise package of the moment, but is a very different profile of player to Ayari. The duo are best working together, rather than one over the other. 

Overall, the likely scenario would be that Ayari signs a deal that perhaps enables a transfer in the upcoming windows, but most likely in the summer. Albion does not tend to make major moves during the winter windows, and rightly so.