Arsenal have submitted a £60 million bid for Moises Caicedo and could push to sign the Chelsea target before the transfer deadline.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed Arsenal’s £60 million bid to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton. Mikel Arteta is keen to bring a new midfielder to the Emirates before the transfer deadline and could push to acquire the Ecuadorian midfielder this month. Chelsea are also in the race, which could open a transfer battle for the 21-year-old.
Arsenal are taking their title prospects very seriously, and Mikel Arteta is open to adding to the squad before the summer transfer window shuts. The Gunners needed an attacker, a centre-back and possibly a new midfielder this month to improve his squad’s quality.
Leandro Trossard arrived last week to bolster the attacking options as Arsenal paid £27 million for the Belgian forward. They then swiftly completed a move for Polish international Jakub Kiwior, who will deputise for Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence.
Immediately after that, Arteta has switched to landing a midfielder before the transfer deadline. The window shuts in about five days, and Arsenal are linked with a few notable names in the market. Amadou Onana was of interest along with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.
EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal have submitted £60m bid to sign Moises Caicedo as new midfielder 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
Chelsea had £55m verbal proposal rejected this January as Brighton hope to keep the player — but Arsenal are now pushing.
Negotiations enter into key stages for Caicedo’s future. pic.twitter.com/WZp3RKRdbx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 27, 2023
They have, however, switched their attention towards Moises Caicedo, who has seen his stock rise in the last 12 months. The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder is a key player for Roberto De Zerbi, who has publicly stated his desire to keep the midfielder at the club.
Arsenal have now tabled an official bid of £60 million for Caicedo and await Brighton’s response. The Gunners are keen to push and complete the deal before the deadline. The Ecuadorian international will strengthen a position that Thomas Partey has handled alone all season.
Chelsea are also in the race and saw an earlier offer worth a reported £55 million get rejected by Brighton. The Seagulls are seeking at least £75 million for the midfielder, which may see them rebuff Arsenal’s opening bid. While Caicedo had supposedly given his go-ahead to join Chelsea, his options may change with the Gunners entering the frame.
Arsenal have reportedly been expected to chase Declan Rice in the summer. But Arteta is keen to bolster the position to help with the title push. Moreover, the injury to Mohamed Elneny may have had a huge effect on the thinking process of the club. And they now want the Chelsea target to join them.
Arsenal are in pole position to win the Premier League title. The prospect of lifting the trophy could turn Caicedo’s head. Chelsea are currently 10th on the table and may not guarantee Champions League football next season.
If Brighton reject their proposal, the Gunners could return with a new bid. Much will depend on how much the Seagulls want for Caicedo in this window. The £60 million proposal may not suffice, going by how much they value the midfielder.
