Brighton are eyeing Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles for a summer move.
The ambitious South Coast club have already shown their intentions by signing Adam Lallana on a free transfer and a £900,000 move for Dutch defender Joel Veltman.
They are also keeping close tabs on Maitland-Niles as the former England under-21 midfielder faces a big decision on his future this summer.
Maitland-Niles has got three years left on his current deal, is not one of the biggest earners in the squad and has made it clear his priority is to get regular first-team football.
Ideally that would be at Arsenal but his opportunities have been limited and that has alerted several clubs and there is interest in the academy graduate.
Maitland-Niles, 22, was part of England’s under-20 World Cup winning squad in 2017 and is therefore known by Brighton technical director Dan Ashworth from his time at the Football Association.
Arsenal may be in a position this summer where they have to sell before they can buy and Mikel Arteta may look to shake up his squad.
Matteo Guendouzi looks certain to be on his way out while they may also look to strengthen in midfield and in central defence.
Arsenal boss Arteta does rate Maitland-Niles having played him in the FA Cup semi final and again during the finish to the season.
But there is interest in the midfielder and if that is followed up with serious offers then it would leave him and Arsenal with a decision to make this summer.
