Brighton in driving seat for Xhaka-Odegaard hybrid Arsenal admire, Ornstein reveals

Robin Bairner

• 26 Jan 2024 21:25 GMT
• 11 min read

Brighton are in pole position to beat Arsenal to Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, according to David Ornstein.

The Seagulls wish to increase their options in the midfield and have targeted the Championship star, yet they face a battle to reach an agreement with Leicester.

Ornstein reports, via The Athletic, that Leicester are holding out for €35 million (£30m) for the 25-year-old and there is a difference in valuations between the clubs that could leave the door open to a move.

West Ham United are also monitoring the situation, while there is no indication that Arsenal are plotting an imminent move, despite being listed along with Fulham as “admirers” of the versatile midfielder.

Dewsbury-Hall has an Expected Transfer Value of €17m, down from a peak of €38m prior to Leicester’s relegation last summer.

Dewbury-Hall's standout season

The Foxes youth product has been a highly influential figure as the club have climbed to the top of the Championship, scoring nine goals and assisting eight more in just 27 appearances.

Data analytics experts SciSport rate him among the best-performing midfielders in the league.

His versatility would appear to suit Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta given that he is something of a hybrid between Granit Xhaka, who departed the club for Bayer Leverkusen last summer, and Martin Odegaard, who continues to play a leading role for the Gunners as they fight for the Premier League title.

Arsenal continue to be linked with central midfield options, though passed up the opportunity to sign Antwerp teenager Arthur Vermeeren, who has the capacity to become a world-class player in the holding role in the future.

Arteta does tend to prefer Premier League-proven talent, though, and to that end Dewsbury-Hall ticks a big box, yet it appears they are willing to challenge Brighton at the price point Leicester are looking for.