Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal are interested in signing Brighton starlet Tariq Lamptey.
What's the story?
The Gunners have got a big question mark over the long-term future of current first-choice right-back Hector Bellerin, with reports in recent days and weeks suggesting that the Spaniard could be set for an exit from the Emirates this summer.
Now, Romano has claimed that Mikel Arteta's side have got their eyes set on Lamptey. Speaking on The Here We Go podcast, he said (via afcstuff): "For sure, next summer, can happen something big for him. Arsenal are looking at him as a possible option at right-back. Keep an eye on Arsenal because they are among the clubs interested in Lamptey.
"There is still nothing advanced, there is still nothing signed. Nothing serious yet, but they’re looking at him, he’s on the list, he’s considered an interesting player, so Arsenal will decide the future in the coming months."
Perfect for Arteta
The £16.2m-rated Lamptey appears to be the perfect full-back/wing-back for Arteta, with his pace and ability to beat players on the ball something that Kieran Tierney provides on the opposite flank.
Described as "unbelievably quick", Lamptey has scored once and provided three assists in just 11 games this season, including setting up goals against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
His teammate at Brighton, Dan Burn, raved about his ability, saying: "I’ve hated playing against him, because I’ve played at left-back quite a bit in training and he’s been at right-back and I can’t catch him!
"He’s got such a low centre of gravity, it’s hard to knock him off the ball, take the ball off him. You don’t see many people take the ball past him either. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I expect big things."
If Arteta is looking for a player to come in and nail down that starting right-back slot, then Lamptey seems perfect for him given all the tools that he has in his locker and because he certainly has the time to develop further at a bigger side than Brighton.