Arsenal once tried to sign £50m Brighton star now he’s heading for the Championship

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Mikel Arteta’s side enters the final hours of deadline day hoping to secure an attacking signing.

Arsenal are not giving up on Ollie Watkins, meanwhile, the Gunners have also approached Mathys Tel as they attempt to pip Man United to the Frenchman’s signature.

Chasing attacking reinforcements is something Arsenal fans have had to become accustomed to on deadline day, having been in the same position in August 2024.

With that being said, Arsenal considered a late £50m move for Simon Adingra ahead of the summer deadline, since then however the Brighton man has struggled on the south coast.

Adingra was tipped as an Eddie Nketiah replacement but the Ivorian has failed to kick on under Fabian Hurzeler and now looks set to depart the Amex on a cut-price deal.

• READ MORE: Arsenal transfer news and rumours as star ‘agrees’ contract amid Mathys Tel twist

Former Arsenal target Simon Adingra set for Championship move to Sunderland

During the final days of the 2024 window, Arsenal fans called for Mikel Arteta to sign Adingra, those demands however haven’t aged well following news that the Brighton man could now drop down to the Championship.

That is according to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, who claims Adingra could now join Sunderland as part of a makeway in Tommy Watson’s move to Brighton.

“Sunderland will only allow Tommy Watson’s proposed transfer to Brighton to proceed if Simon Adingra moves in the opposite direction.

“The Seagulls have seen an £8.5m offer plus add-ons rejected for the 18-year-old winger, who is rated as one of the most exciting prospects outside the Premier League.

“However, Mail Sport can reveal that Sunderland want Ivorian wideman Adingra, if they are to accept an offer from Brighton. That deal would likely be a loan with an obligation to buy if the Black Cats win promotion to the top flight.

“Brighton have already rejected a £20m offer from Marseille for Adingra and it is thought they do not want to let him go this window.”

Arsenal will be glad they missed out on Adingra

With fees as high as £50m being touted for Adingra last summer, it’s starting to seem like Arteta’s side have got away with one.

Having been one of Brighton’s stand-out players under Roberto De Zerbi, Adingra has struggled for minutes under new boss Hurzeler.

Still just 23 years old though, the Brighton man still has time to resurrect the form that saw the Gunners first register an interest.