Arsenal have held preliminary talks over a potential move for Sturm Graz midfielder Luca Weinhandl, with Brighton identified as the most serious rival for his signature.
The 17-year-old has attracted considerable attention from Premier League clubs after establishing himself around Sturm Graz’s senior setup in Austria.
Brighton are currently described as the frontrunners in the race, while Aston Villa are also keeping a close eye on the teenager’s progress.
Scouts from all three Premier League clubs have reportedly watched Weinhandl in action recently, underlining the level of interest he has generated.
Arsenal are said to have gone one step further by opening early lines of communication with the player’s representatives, though talks have not reached an advanced stage.
The Austrian outlet 4-4-2 first reported the preliminary discussions, suggesting an offer in the region of £17 million could be sufficient to secure a deal.
Weinhandl is a 6 foot 3 central midfielder who has come through Sturm Graz’s youth academy and made his first-team debut in 2026.
He recently broke a record by becoming the youngest Austrian to score in the Europa League, adding to his growing reputation as one of the country’s most exciting prospects.
Weinhandl also helped Austria reach the final of the Under-17 World Cup, providing him with valuable experience on an international stage at a young age.
Sturm Graz are not under pressure to sell, and the teenager is reportedly comfortable continuing his development in Austria for the time being.
A January move is considered possible rather than guaranteed, meaning any interested club will need to work hard to convince both player and club.
Brighton’s strong interest means Arsenal cannot take it for granted that Weinhandl will hold out for a move to north London over the Seagulls.
The battle for his signature adds an intriguing transfer subplot to the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Brighton scheduled for this weekend.
Arsenal head into that match having won all four of their opening league games, sitting top of the table with 12 points collected under Mikel Arteta.
Brighton arrive in strong form themselves, taking seven points from their first four league games and famously coming from two goals down to beat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.