Arsenal 'scouting' Liverpool and Brighton target - Fabrizio Romano

Cameron Smith

• 30 Jan 2024 14:05 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in action for Leicester City this season, but Brighton & Hove Albion currently lead the race to sign him, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 25-year-old has been one of the Foxes’ most important players in the Championship this season and has been linked with a mid-season return to the Premier League as a result.

Liverpool were interested in pursuing a move last summer, while Arsenal and Brighton are both keen on the Englishman, as per multiple reports.

Dewsbury-Hall’s absence against Birmingham City at the weekend sparked rumours of an exit amid intensifying links with Brighton, but Leicester manager Enzo Maresca was keen to quash any exit rumours.

“No, the reason why he was not in the squad was because we gave him, Harry Winks, and Jannik a rest for Tuesday’s game,” the Italian revealed.

“This is a question for the club, not for me. We have talked about the transfer window for sure, but it’s not a question for me.”

The Athletic’s David Ornstein recently reported that Brighton are in negotiations with Leicester regarding a possible move for Dewsbury-Hall, although the Seagulls are yet to meet the Championship side’s asking price.

As a result, Arsenal still have a chance to swoop if they want to land a like-for-like Granit Xhaka replacement.

What has Fabrizio Romano said?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Romano admitted that Brighton are currently the most likely team to sign Dewsbury-Hall, despite Arsenal’s interest.

"From what I heard, they [Arsenal] have sent some scouts multiple times to follow him [Dewsbury-Hall], because they believe he is very talented,” the transfer expert said.

“Also, other clubs did the same, so not just Arsenal. I think it's three or four clubs doing the same. The only proposal came from Brighton.

“From what I heard, they offered around £20m for him with some add-ons included in the proposal. This is still not enough to convince Leicester because they have always wanted around £40m for Dewsbury-Hall, so I think it's not going to be that easy.

“The best candidate to sign the player in the final days is Brighton more than Arsenal in this moment.”

Dewsbury-Hall has made 31 appearances for Leicester so far this season, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists. He has three-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at the King Power Stadium.