Exclusive: Brighton Interested in Signing Former Arsenal And Japan International Takehiro Tomiyasu to Ease Right-Back Conundrum

Brighton and Hove Albion are interested in signing former Arsenal right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The Seagulls have sounded out the experienced Japan international about a potential move to the American Express Stadium.

Tomiyasu has been a free agent ever since being released by the Gunners at the end of last season.

But our sources have learnt Brighton have made enquiries about whether the 26-year-old defender would make a Premier League return with them.

The Seagulls are desperate for defensive cover with 34-year-old Joel Veltman their only recognised right-back.

The club sold first-choice right-back Tariq Lamptey to Italian side Fiorentina on transfer deadline day despite having only signed a new one-year contract extension in June.

Lamptey, 24, made 122 appearances for the Seagulls and was a shock departure for many Seagulls’ supports, especially with very little cover to replace him.

RIGHT-BACK COVER

Mats Wieffer, Jack Hinshelwood and Ferdi Kadioglu can all play at right-back, but it is not of the trio’s preferred position.

If Veltman were to get injured then Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler knows he would have to patch up the gaps.

There was seemingly no bad blood between Hurzeler and Lamptey, with the full-back allowed to leave so late in the window.

"He's [Tariq] been a valued player throughout his time, but more than that he is a brilliant professional and person,” said Hurzeler after a deal was hatched for Lamptey to leave.

"This is a good opportunity for him to play both Serie A and European football. On behalf of everyone at the club I'd like to wish him all the very best for the future."

However, although German boss Hurzeler did make a string of summer signings, the majority of those signings were in attacking positions.

Left-back Maxim De Cuyper joined from Belgian side Club Brugge, while centre-back Olivier Boscagli was picked up on a free transfer having been released by Dutch giants PSV.

But those were the only two defensive signings Hurzeler made during the summer transfer window – and so finding a new right-back has become a priority when the January window opens.

Capped 42 times by his country and with 65 Premier League appearances under his belt, Tomiyasu fits the bill for the Seagulls.