Fabrizio Romano has claimed that reported Arsenal target Tariq Lamptey will join a big club during the summer transfer window.
The 20-year-old has been an absolute revelation since joining Brighton on a permanent basis a little over a year ago.
According to CBS Sport, Arsenal have earmarked Lamptey as a long-term replacement for Hector Bellerin, who has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain recently.
The former Chelsea right-back only signed a new deal with the Seagulls as recently as January.
But Italian journalist Romano has told his Here We Go podcast that he’ll be leaving in the summer and to ‘keep an eye’ on the Emirates Stadium club, but stressed that absolutely no agreement is in place.
He said: “For sure next summer something big will happen for him. Arsenal are looking at him for possible option for right-back. Keep an eye on Arsenal because they are among the clubs interested in Lamptey. There is nothing advanced, nothing is signed or something like this. Nothing serious, but they are looking at him. He is considered an interesting player.”
Arsenal should take the money and run if a sizeable bid is lodged for Bellerin.
The 25-year-old has stagnated a little bit at the North London club and it doesn’t look like he’s getting much better.
Bellerin has played under Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, being a mainstay under all three of them.
But he needs new surroundings and if Arsenal can get Lamptey as his replacement, it makes sense for all parties.
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