Arsenal unearthed 'next Bukayo Saka' who has sparked January transfer battle

Amario Cozier-Duberry took a gamble when he decided to end his five-year stint with childhood team Arsenal in the summer of 2024. After much consideration and rejecting a formal contract offer from the Gunners, the talented teenager chose to sign for Brighton, despite attracting attention from Premier League and European clubs alike.

Newcastle had put forward a competitive proposal for Cozier-Duberry, while Borussia Dortmund and Ajax were also in talks about a potential transfer. Wolves were among the other clubs vying for his signature. The dynamic winger, who spent his youth admiring players like Thierry Henry and regularly attended Arsenal home games with his brothers to see his idols, pledged not to have any regrets after signing a four-year contract with Brighton.

He was aware that breaking into Arsenal's first team would be a challenge, especially as a left-footed right-winger, and humbly accepted that it would be nearly impossible to replace Bukayo Saka.

Cozier-Duberry, who openly admits to modelling his style of play on Arjen Robben, would often seek advice from Saka at London Colney in an attempt to replicate his effectiveness. Former Arsenal Under-18 head coach Jack Wilshere had previously noted the striking similarities between the two English players.

"Amario is very exciting and Mikel likes him," Wilshere told The Athletic in 2023. "He reminds me of Bukayo Saka, plays in the same position as him, needs to get better with his decision-making like Bukayo did, but he's definitely exciting. In some moments he's unplayable. You give him the ball and he can make things happen. You can set up a team and have a game plan, but when you've got individuals like that you've got a chance."

Cozier-Duberry enjoyed a blistering beginning to life at Brighton, bagging a double in a commanding 5-1 triumph against Kashima Antlers during the Seagulls' opening fixture of their pre-season Japanese tour last summer.

Nevertheless, after Brighton's £30million swoop for Newcastle's Yankuba Minteh, bosses determined a temporary switch would prove advantageous and the dynamic, untested winger moved to Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers for the 2024-25 campaign.

The talented youngster featured in 22 league matches at Ewood Park, finding the net just once before securing another season-long temporary deal with League One promotion-chasers Bolton Wanderers.

Cozier-Duberry presently boasts 14 goal contributions (seven strikes and seven assists) this season and is arguably the most sought-after talent in the EFL following his recent EA Sports FC Young Player of the Month accolade after a scintillating October display.

Predictably, his dazzling performances have attracted interest from numerous Championship sides, who would fancy securing the player's services on loan come January for the remainder of the season. Bolton are keen to keep him as he is seen as crucial to their promotion bid, but the contract includes a break clause.

Brighton insiders, however, maintain they're thrilled with their forward's progress and there's thought to be a hesitance to interrupt his growth.

Wanderers firmly believe Cozier-Duberry's scorching performances are not just a fluke. In 2023, Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley scooped their Player of the Season, Players' Player of the Season and Young Player of the Year awards after an outstanding loan stint in League One before breaking into the first-team scene at Anfield.

But it's also acknowledged that this particular loan was a match made in heaven. The 20-year-old, who has netted four goals and provided three assists in his last three league games, is a keen learner of the game and has been praised for treating every training session in Greater Manchester as if it were his final one.

He is often fouled by rivals and in recent matches, opposing managers have even been adjusting their tactical approach to try and neutralise Cozier-Duberry, assigning two defenders to his side in an attempt to mark him out of the game, which has so far proven unsuccessful.

'Super Amario' just keeps bouncing back and he is already well on his way to securing first-team chances at Brighton next season due to his incisive dribbling, crossing skills and knack for hitting the target from distance.

Jason Ayto, who took up the role of sporting director at Albion in September, is well-acquainted with the skilful dribbler from his Arsenal days. With Minteh reportedly drawing attention from the Premier League's 'Big Six', Brighton already have a potential successor in Cozier-Duberry.

Don't be shocked if we're discussing another transfer triumph for Brighton this time next year.