Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion are all in the picture to sign SK Sturm Graz’s Luca Weinhandl in January.
The 17-year-old’s development and potential have seen him attract interest from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton.
He graduated from the Austrian club’s youth system and made his way to their first team in 2025. The midfielder has made 25 appearances and 12 are from this season.
Weinhandl’s performances have seen him attract the Premier League trio’s attention. The British press recently reported that Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton’s scouts closely monitored him.
Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton in mix
4-4-2.ch picks up on that and covers the latest on the Gunners, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Seagulls are showing strong interest in the Austria U19 international while two other Premier League sides are also in the mix.
Mikel Arteta’s side have made initial contact, without the outlet specifying whether it’s the player’s camp, his club or both.
Sources close to the player are aware that scouts from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton watched him live. There won’t be any further advances until January, or we get closer towards the next window.
Earlier this month, Arsenal also sent a scout to Spain to watch Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoumé.
Manager responds to PL links
On Wednesday, Sturm Graz settled for a 0-0 draw against Stade Rennais in the Europa League and Luca Weinhand played the full 90 minutes.
After the match, Sturm Graz manager Fabio Ingolitsch was asked about the reported interest from the Premier League. Krone, who relays his comments, states Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion are his suitors.
“These days, you can feed so much information to people that rumours start to circulate. We don’t care,” he said.
The manager doesn’t seem surprised that clubs are following his young talent.
“We know what we’ve got in Luca. He’s a highly talented player who, at 17, plays as if he’s already played, I don’t know how many international matches,” Ingolitsch explained.
“He’s a very special lad; we know that, and yet we can all put it into perspective, we’re very happy that he’s with us. He’ll be a huge help to us this year.”
Weinhand will turn 18 years of age in January. This makes him eligible to move to the UK in the winter market.
