Amario Cozier-Duberry: How Brighton won fierce battle for in-demand winger after Arsenal exit | OneFootball

Former Gunners starlet dubbed the ‘next Bukayo Saka’ has penned a four-year deal with the Seagulls

Amario Cozier-Duberry turned down interest from a host of other Premier League clubs and sides around Europe to join Brighton after leaving Arsenal.

The winger was a free agent after his contract with the Gunners expired last month and he had plenty of offers.

Cozier-Duberry attracted interest from the likes of Aston Villa and West Ham, while Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Celtic and Rangers were tracking him, too.

The 19-year-old was also on the radar of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, who are coached by Steven Gerrard.

Cozier-Duberry decided to join Brighton, though, and signed a four-year contract with the club over the weekend.

Brighton’s track record for developing younger players in the Premier League is understood to have played a significant role, as was the club’s plans to integrate him into the first team.

The senior recruitment team made an impressive pitch to the youngster and Brighton are keen to compete with Chelsea and Manchester City when it comes to securing the best emerging talent.

Arsenal had wanted Cozier-Duberry to stay and offered him a new deal over a year ago, with a view to sending him on loan back in January.

There is a feeling at Arsenal that the level to break into the first team is higher than in previous years, but there was a belief that Cozier-Duberry could have made that step by going out on loan.

He has been tipped for a big future and was previously compared to Bukayo Saka by Arsenal Under-18s manager Jack Wilshere.