Exclusive: Lazio dismiss Brighton enquiry for midfielder amid growing Arsenal interest

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who recently turned 24, has enjoyed quite a rise over the last few years, going from helping Sheffield Wednesday earn promotion out of League One to wearing the number 10 for Nigeria and sealing a multi-million pound move to Serie A.

The midfielder has picked up seven goals and assists in 22 games for the Italian outfit so far, including a fine strike against Monza over the weekend, and it’s understood that a number of clubs are following his progress as his star continues to rise.

Brighton make transfer enquiry

It’s thought that enquiries were made by both Brighton & Hove Albion and Juventus recently about whether the Super Eagles man would be available, however were told that he was not for sale at this point in time.

3 Added Minutes also understands that both Manchester City – where FDB was developed – and Arsenal are among the other clubs who are monitoring the Nigerian international, with his performances catching the eye of many since his move to Italy.

Dele-Bashiru’s contract situation

Dele-Bashiru’s contractual situation is a complex one given that he joined Lazio originally on loan from Hatayspor in Turkey with an obligation to sign him permanently at the end of the season – however a clause in the deal has already been triggered that means he is effectively no longer owned by the Turkish club.

Whether any of the aforementioned clubs come back in for ‘Fizz’ when the next transfer opens up remains to be seen, however with 2025 being an African Cup of Nations year it’s unlikely that the midfielder’s value will be decreasing anytime soon.

In other news, the biggest spenders of the 2024/25 Premier League have been revealed, with Brighton spending more money on transfer fees than any of their 19 Premier League rivals. The Seagulls, who have developed a reputation as one of the best at recruitment in European football, spent sizeable amount of money in the summer transfer window, bringing in the likes of midfielder Matt O’Riley from Celtic for £25m, and Georgino Rutter from Leeds United for £40m.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been dubbed by some as the ‘losers’ of the January transfer window, after failing to secure themselves a new striker despite the club’s clear need for an established marksman to lead the line. However, Mikel Arteta’s side look certain to do just that in the summer, as they look to finally end their wait to win the Premier League again after over twenty years of attempting to replicate the glories of their 2003/04 campaign.