Arsenal weigh five-player Brighton swap to beat Man United to Hinshelwood

Arsenal are considering offering Brighton a package of up to five players as part of a swap deal to sign midfielder Jack Hinshelwood, with Manchester United also in the race for the £51m-rated Brighton academy product.

Mikel Arteta has already spent around £144 million this summer but is pushing to add further reinforcements before Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry City. Club officials have reportedly contacted Hinshelwood’s representatives and are preparing a formal bid, though United’s interest means Arsenal may need to sweeten their offer to persuade Brighton to sell.

Player-plus-cash arrangements have gained traction this summer, most notably when Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson swapped clubs between Everton and Crystal Palace. Arsenal appear willing to follow a similar model to bring down Hinshelwood’s asking price.

Gabriel Jesus is considered among the most viable names to include in any package. Brighton are in the market for a centre-forward following Danny Welbeck’s departure to Chelsea, and Arsenal are open to moving on the 29-year-old Brazilian, who earns £265,000 a week and was left out of the Community Shield squad. Napoli have also registered an interest in Jesus.

Myles Lewis-Skelly is another candidate despite impressing in Arsenal’s 3-0 pre-season win over Manchester City, where the 19-year-old assisted Riccardo Calafiori’s goal in the 23rd second. The versatile England international, capable of playing across midfield and at both full-back positions, was offered to Chelsea and Manchester United earlier in the window, suggesting the club remains open to his departure.

Ethan Nwaneri, 19, is also likely to leave the Emirates this summer after spending last season on loan at Marseille. Under contract until 2030, Arsenal are weighing whether to sell him outright or arrange another temporary move, and he could feature in negotiations with Brighton.

Arsenal’s willingness to explore creative deal structures reflects the financial reality of landing a player Brighton are reluctant to sell cheaply, particularly with a Premier League rival circling.