Arsenal have suffered a blow in their pursuit of free agent Florian Grillitsch following interest from Brighton & Hove Albion, according to Mike McGrath.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the 26-year-old this summer as Mikel Arteta continues to search for reinforcements in the centre of midfield.
Grillitsch supposedly fits the bill after leaving Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim upon the expiration of his contract on June 30, ending a five-year spell with the club.
The Austria international could well be making the move to the Premier League this summer, but it is Brighton who have made their move according to the journalist of The Telegraph.
Tweeting from his official Twitter account on Thursday, McGrath said: "Brighton are in talks over an audacious move for Austria midfielder Florian Grillitsch as a free agent from under the noses of top European clubs. Arsenal had looked at the 26-year-old after his Hoffenheim contract expired."
The Seagulls are yet to replace Yves Bissouma in the centre of midfield, after losing their star player on a permanent transfer to Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the window.
Grillitsch, who can play in both a central defensive role as well as a midfield position, made 151 appearances for Hoffenheim across all competitions during his time with the club, of which only 18 arrived last season due to several injury issues.
