Hector Bellerin has given Arsenal the incentive to sign a new right-back after his recent stance about his future.
The Gunners signed Takehiro Tomiyasu in the summer transfer window on deadline day, but the competition provided in his position is extremely weak.
According to British journalist Duncan Castles, The north London side could reignite their interest in former Chelsea full-back Tariq Lamptey to add to Mikel Arteta’s full back positions.
Speaking on The Transfer Window Podcast, he said: "What you have here is Arsenal, who had an interest in Lamptey when he burst onto the scene before that difficult injury that you referred to."
"They are looking again to sign him and exploring the parameters of the deal. I think Lamptey is an exceptionally attacking full-back."
Bellerin left the club in the summer transfer window on a season-long loan from Real Betis, but his recent stance suggests that he could extend his stay in La Liga, which certainly opens the door for a Lamptey transfer.
According to Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo, Bellerin is very happy at Real Betis and does not miss his former club in north London.
The Spaniard announced his intentions to leave the club on a permanent transfer last year, but could only succumb to a loan move on deadline day in the summer transfer window.
However, with it looking like a certainty that he will not be returning to Arsenal, it means that Tomiyasu will remain as the only right-back at the club who can oversee the team compete at the top of the league when he is featured in the starting XI.
Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers are the current players who provide cover at right-back, but both of them are not at the required level, which would see Arsenal compete for the major trophies.
Cedric’s lack of quality was highlighted in the 4-1 victory over Leeds United when he came on to replace Tomiyasu and instantly Arteta’s defence looked weaker, causing the loss of a clean sheet.
Arteta has only used Chambers in the Carabao Cup this season, showing the lack of faith he has in the defender, and with his contract expiring in the summer he looks set to depart from the club anyway.
The signing of Lamptey would be a major statement stamped down by Edu and the club, as the youngster is regarded as one of the best right-backs in the country when fully fit.
Not also does his quality make him an attractive signing, but it is also because he will provide a completely different style of play to Tomiyasu, as the Englishman is better on the overlap, and providing a threat to the opposition box.
This would give Arteta a healthy selection headache, and he could favour the right-back in games against opposition who provide lesser quality, so Arsenal are more dangerous in their attacking phase of play.
If Lamptey is available for a transfer then it is certainly a deal the Gunners should look to pursue.
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