Brighton

Brighton

Premier League • England

Potter reveals Brighton defender stance but Arsenal, Tottenham told ‘you never know’

Graham Potter during Brighton vs Manchester City, October 2021

Arsenal target Tariq Lamptey is unlikely to leave Brighton in January after manager Graham Potter made it clear the Seagulls are under no pressure to sell.

Lamptey, 21, has seen his stock rise after some superb displays for the south-coast outfit. Having joined from Chelsea in January 2020, the right-back made eight Premier League appearances in the second half of 2019-2020. The England Under-21 ace started 11 league games last term and scored his first goal for the club.

However, he missed the remainder of the campaign after picking up a hamstring injury in December 2020. The Londoner was eased back into the action in September last year.

He has now made seven starts among 12 top-flight outings and impressed all with his level of performance. The Gunners have taken note, with Mikel Arteta said to be keen on the talented youngster.

But north London rivals Tottenham have also been mentioned in connection with the defender. Antonio Conte may be set to offload Matt Doherty back to Wolves.

And, according to The Express, the Italian tactician wants Lamptey to provide competition to summer signing Emerson Royal. However, it appears as though suitors will be left disappointed.

Potter does not envisage losing any players mid season but acknowledged that some things are out of his control.

“We’re not a selling club at all, we don’t have to sell anybody,” he said, per The Mail. “But you never know in this world, so you have to be a little bit aware of that.

Conte wants former Chelsea youngster Tariq Lamptey

Conte wants former Chelsea youngster Tariq Lamptey

Antonio Conte wants Lamptey to be his first signing as Tottenham manager as he looks to improve on flop signing Emerson Royale

“I’d expect all of our players to be with us (at the end of the window). There’s a lot of speculation out there but nothing to report.”

Lamptey a key part of Brighton success

Brighton have enjoyed a solid first half of 2021-2022 and sit ninth in the table after 19 games. They reached the giddy heights of fourth back in October after a stellar start to their campaign.

Potter’s charges have won two of their past three games and have lost only four, with nine draws in total. And the boss feels it was inevitable that some of his players would be linked with other clubs.

“The fact that there is speculation out there means you are doing something quite well,” he added. “And as a club you can be OK with that type of speculation.

Tariq Lamptey Brighton vs Leeds

“You never know what the window brings in terms of whether anything comes from the outside, which you have to factor in.”

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