Transfer Centre

Arsenal eye Brighton's Tariq Lamptey as Hector Bellerin replacement?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 27 December 2020

Arsenal reportedly identify Brighton & Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey as an ideal replacement for Hector Bellerin, who is being linked with a return to Barcelona.

Arsenal are reportedly contemplating an approach for Brighton & Hove Albion's Tariq Lamptey if Hector Bellerin leaves the club.

Bellerin has been Arsenal's first-choice right-back for the past few years, but Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has supposedly identified the Spaniard as his priority target if he assumes office at Camp Nou.

With Cedric Soares often restricted to starts in the Europa League and Ainsley Maitland-Niles out of favour, the Gunners would be expected to move swiftly for a new right-back if Bellerin does head back to Catalonia.

According to The Mirror, Arsenal are eyeing up Brighton's Lamptey as an ideal replacement for Bellerin, with the Seagulls defender bursting onto the scene in the 2020-21 campaign.

Lamptey still has two-and-a-half years left to run on his current Brighton deal, but Graham Potter reportedly wants to tie the 20-year-old down to a new contract as a matter of urgency following his eye-catching displays this season.

Manchester City and Bayern Munich have both been credited with an interest in Lamptey, who has one goal and three assists to his name this season.