Albert Watson is captain of Ballymena United

Manager Tommy Wright said "negotiations are ongoing" but declined to reveal the length of the contract on offer.

The highly-rated central defender is believed to be interesting league champions Linfield but the Ballymena deal is thought to be a lucrative one.

If Watson leaves in the summer, United would be eligible for compensation.

Under Fifa guidelines, Ballymena could command �7,500 for the defender whose contract runs out at the end of the season.

The figure is determined at �1,500 for each year that the player has been at a club up to the age of 21.

Watson has been part of the Sky Blues' senior squad since the age of 16.

It is not known whether Linfield would be willing to pay a fee for the player.