Elliott Bennett is almost certain to join the Paul Lambert revolution.

The 22-year-old Brighton winger was reportedly the subject of failed bids from City in January, but it seems that the Canaries boss has finally got his man.

While Lambert steadfastly refuses to talk about potential signings, Brighton boss Gus Poyet appears to have let the cat out of the bag regarding Bennett, who still has three years remaining on his contract.

Poyet has admitted that he has already spent part of the transfer fee, rumoured to be �1.5m, from Bennett's sale to fund the signing of Watford winger Will Buckley for a club record �1m – while lamenting the loss of another player, coincidentally to Carrow Road again.

'We tried to get a player who knows the division and who is young to use part of the money (for Bennett),' Poyet said.

The Bennett deal has yet to be confirmed by either club, although reports suggests it's just a matter of agreeing personal terms before Bennett follows in the footsteps of Andrew Crofts, who left Brighton for Norwich a year ago.

'I have said in the past the best thing is to get better together, but that can happen a little bit quicker,' said Poyet.

'Normally it is the manager that leaves, but at Brighton at the moment it's players. Crofty did it, now it's Elliott doing it. We are delighted for them.'

Bennett – third in the League One assists table last season as he helped Brighton to the title City won 12 months earlier – began his career with Wolves, but made just two League Cup appearances, spending time on loan at Crewe and Bury before moving to Brighton in August, 2009.

He started all but one of the Seagulls' games last season, and former team-mate, Newcastle loan player Kazenga LuaLua, says Bennett can do a job in the top flight.

'It won't be easy for him,' he said. 'He will have to be physically stronger and he will be playing against unbelievable players but I think he will be all right. Benno's a great player. He has got everything.'