ARSENAL are reportedly ready to make a move for Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey if they lose Hector Bellerin to Barcelona.
With the Gunners enduring a torrid first half of the season, it would be no surprise if boss Mikel Arteta shakes things up when the transfer window re-opens in a few days.
Tariq Lamptey is reportedly on Arsenal’s radarCredit: Rex Features
Hector Bellerin might fancy a second crack with BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Bellerin was reportedly on Paris Saint-Germain’s shortlist in the summer, but Arteta managed to rebuff any advances for the right wing-back.
But interest from Barcelona might prove too difficult to bat away.
Bellerin, 25, was born in the city but only made it as far as the youth teams before moving to London to join Arsenal in 2011.
And according to The Mirror, Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta, who is favourite to win the election, ‘wants Bellerin’.
But the Gunners might already have a replacement in mind in the form of Brighton’s maruauding wing-back Lamptey.
The 20-year-old has been a revelation on the south coast this season having left Chelsea for first-team football.
Arsenal have reportedly been ‘monitoring him closely’ – with Manchester City and Bayern Munich also linked.
Another player once again being linked with an Emirates exit is out-of-favour midfielder Mesut Ozil.
Juventus have reportedly been offered the chance to sign the German on a six-month loan deal.
Italian outlet Tuttosport claim Juve have had contact with Ozil’s entourage and Arsenal are prepared to let him leave for free.
The report adds that the Gunners are also willing to pay a portion of Ozil’s mammoth £350,000-a-week salary to facilitate a move.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
