Tariq Lamptey is one of several players Arsenal are looking at as a future replacement for Hector Bellerin – but would he be the right signing for the Gunners?
Bellerin has been linked with a return to Barcelona for several years and was convinced to stay by manager Mikel Arteta last summer.
Portuguese defender Cedric Soares has stepped up this season and particularly impressed in recent games, whilst also filling in at left-back.
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The former Southampton defender is trusted by Arteta but a departure for Bellerin this summer would mean the Gunners bringing in a replacement for the Spaniard.
Lamptey has been earmarked as a potential successor to Bellerin and Arsenal have tracked the youngster’s progress in the Premier League this season.
The 20-year-old is one of the brightest up and coming players in his position, catching the eye after breaking into the Brighton first team last season following his move from Chelsea in the winter.
However, he only recently signed a long-term contract with the South Coast side keeping him at the Amex Stadium until 2025.
A young, homegrown right-back would set Arsenal back a considerable transfer fee when they could look closer to home for an alternative option.
football.london explores a few potential academy options for the Gunners who could be given a chance to impress manager Mikel Arteta ahead of next season.
Omar Rekik (19)
Able to play as a right sided and left sided centre back, Rekik is expected to establish himself as a key members of the Arsenal Under-23s squad after joining from Hertha Berlin in January.
Netherlands-born Rekik, a senior Tunisian international who has previously played at youth level for the likes of Feyenoord, Manchester City, PSV and Marseille, has been training regularly with the first team but has yet to make his Arsenal debut due to injury.
Rekik, has been playing on the left and in defensive midfield for Hertha but as we’ve seen with Cedric Soares this season, an adaptability to play in a number of positions across the backline will stand you in good stead with manager Arteta.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy (17)
The youngster has caught the eye with his mature performances at right-back for the under-23s this season.
Norton-Cuffy is a forward-thinking right-back who will be hoping to get further opportunities over the coming season.
Jonathan Dinzeyi (21)
Dinzeyi started his career as a winger before moving into centre back.
He is a former Tottenham academy product who has previously spoken about ex-Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen and how he admires the Belgian for his ability to launch attacks from the back.
The 21-year-old hasn’t received rave reviews since joining the club but a loan move could aid his development and fast-track his pathway into the first team.
Other options
RyanAlebiosu, 19, and Daniel Oyegoke, 18, are two highly-rated right-backs in the Arsenal academy system.
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Both players have had injury issues this season but the Gunners coaching staff have high hopes for the England youngsters.
Arteta has a number of top prospects at right-back and it would make little sense to spend big money on a player like Lamptey this summer, when they can develop their own talents instead.