Jason Ayto now wants to steal £20m Arsenal target after joining Brighton as sporting director

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TBR Football can exclusively confirm that one of Arsenal’s recent summer targets is on Jason Ayto’s radar for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Ayto has agreed to become Brighton & Hove Albion’s new sporting director after missing out on the Newcastle United job.

Ayto will replace David Weir at the AMEX Stadium and will oversee their recruitment plans going forward.

TBR Football sources understand that he has targets in mind and he brings with him some targets from his Arsenal days – as he served as interim sporting director following Edu’s departure.

Brighton eyeing Arsenal target Lucien Agoume

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can confirm one of those targets includes Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume – a player who the Gunners were keen on in January and this summer.

Agoume is recognised as a player of huge potential and one who Brighton now see as a possible target heading into 2026.

Although the Seagulls deny they are looking at Carlos Baleba replacements, it is clearly something they have to plan for heading into next year.

As revealed by TBR Football, tying down Jan Paul van Hecke to a new deal is understood to be one of Ayto’s main priorities when he starts work on the South Coast.

“Jason Ayto is a hugely respected figure within football, his name always comes up when I am talking to people around the game in terms of ones to watch,” Bailey exclusively told TBR Football.

“Ayto was very close to landing the Arsenal job and also Newcastle, he is that good – so for Brighton to get him is something of a coup.

“Brighton did not want to lose out, they have moved on from David Weir which is a big deal – which just highlights how highly they rate Ayto.

“This is really future proofing the club and where they want to go.”

READ MORE: What Brighton sources have been saying about Jan Paul van Hecke’s contract situation amid Liverpool interest

What Lucien Agoume could bring to the Premier League

Agoume has made a name for himself as a top quality midfielder in La Liga since his move to Sevilla from Inter Milan in 2024.

Former Sevilla head coach Enrique Sanchez Flores praised Agoume for his “extraordinary physique” and “magnificent physical condition” when he joined, as per FC Inter News.

Agoume doesn’t really have many weaknesses, except perhaps the amount of shots he takes, but this is not really something he is expected to do.

When it comes to defensive contributions, he is among the best out there, and he is also good at moving the ball forward and creating chances overall.

FBRef likened Agoume’s style of play to the likes of Moises Caicedo and Eduardo Camavinga.