Arsenal are in the race to sign Tariq Lamptey this month, according to reports...

What's the word?

The Express claim that the Gunners are ready to fight their north London rivals Spurs for the Brighton and Hove Albion wing-back, who has been a target for quite some time.

It's thought that the Seagulls will want around £50m to let their star man depart the Amex Stadium anytime soon.

The north London outfit signed versatile full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu during the summer but it appears as if Mikel Arteta would still like reinforcements in the role.

Bye-bye Bellerin?

Indeed, the Spanish head coach is awash with options at right-back - aside from the Japanese warrior, he also has Cedric Soares and Callum Chambers, as well as fellow countryman Hector Bellerin, who is currently out on loan to Real Betis.

It would seem plausible that he would be the most likely culprit to go permanently, should Arsenal follow up their interest in Lamptey. This could be Arteta's time to finally axe Bellerin after injuries and inconsistencies halted his time in north London.

Three assists from 16 appearances suggest he isn't doing the best away from the Emirates Stadium, so Arteta won't be missing him one bit.

In Lamptey, the Gunners would be getting an impressive talent capable of contributing at either end of the pitch. Since emerging in 2019, the £16.2m-rated Brighton dynamo has averaged 3.3 dribbles, 2.5 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League, per WhoScored.

This would show his ability to win the ball, carry it forward and then look to create opportunities - perhaps something that makes him a little better than Tomiyasu, who only averages 0.7 key passes per game in the English top-flight.

Standing at 5 foot 4, the diminutive defender also offers rapid pace and acceleration, and that helps him cause havoc up against his opposite number. “He is so fast. He has got the character, the attitude and the attributes that can affect games in the Premier League," he said his manager Graham Potter (via The Athletic).

Elsewhere, Lamptey has been described as a "terrific prospect" and "phenomenal young talent" by Daily Mirror's chief football writer John Cross, whilst BBC Sport contributor Premier League Panel dubbed him a "big talent" more recently.

So, on the above evidence, Arsenal could finally wave goodbye to the long-serving Bellerin, especially with him earning around £110k-per-week, if Edu Gaspar sanctions a bold £50m swoop this month.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Aubameyang: Arsenal eye £36m-rated "exceptional talent", Arteta would love him...