BRIGHTON are looking to beat Arsenal to the signing of Florian Grillitsch as they opened talks with the free agent.
The highly-rated midfielder is a man in demand after leaving Hoffenheim earlier this summer.
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He is now available for nothing and has turned the heads of clubs from across Europe.
Arsenal have long been linked to the 26-year-old but now face serious competition from Graham Potter’s side.
The Telegraph report that an “audacious” move from the Seagulls is on.
Reporter Mike McGrath tweeted: “Brighton are in talks over an audacious move for Austria midfielder Florian Grillitsch as a free agent from under the noses of top European clubs.
“Arsenal had looked at the 26yr-old after his Hoffenheim contract expired.”
Grillitsch has also been linked to a number of clubs following his departure from the German side after five years.
Leeds, Galatasaray and Besiktas are among those who have been reportedly interested in the Austrian.
Earlier in the summer reports suggested Grillitsch was set to move to Fiorentina but the transfer collapsed.
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Arsenal have already recruited in midfield this summer in the form of creative midfielder Fabio Vieira.
They also look set to recruit Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City and potentially play him in his natural midfield position.
The Gunners also spent much of the early parts of the window being linked to Leicester’s Youri Tielemans, but it appears any transfer has gone cold for now.