Arsenal could reignite their interest in Moises Caicedo during the summer as Mikel Arteta eyes a major midfield revamp for next season.
According to Fichajes, Arsenal could return with an approach for Moises Caicedo in the summer. The Gunners failed with at least two huge bids for the 21-year-old midfielder in January. Mikel Arteta wants to sign the Ecuadorian from fellow Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion as part of his major midfield rebuild.
Had Arsenal been successful in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo in January, it would have been one of the biggest deals of that window. It would not have come close to Chelsea’s captures of Mykhaylo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez. But it would have been a massive statement of intent from the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta wanted to reinforce the central midfield area with a good addition, as Arsenal were short there. The manager wanted an able cover for Thomas Partey, without whom they have suffered in the past. Arsenal saw at least two offers worth £60 million and £70 million rejected by Brighton for Caicedo.
Chelsea also had a bid rejected before Arsenal entered the chase. The Blues eventually ended up signing Enzo Fernandez in a British-record deal. The Gunners acquired Jorginho on deadline day to shore up their midfield. The Italian international was their third arrival behind Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior.
While reports suggested their pursuit of the 21-year-old midfielder may have spoilt relationships with fellow Premier League club Brighton, the Gunners are set to reignite their interest. Arteta knows what the Ecuadorian midfielder can bring to the team and remains keen to add him next summer.
Arsenal are expected to chase Declan Rice in the summer summer. And the West Ham United captain would reportedly prefer to join the Gunners ahead of Chelsea. There were question marks over who Arteta preferred to sign between Caicedo and Rice. And to the surprise of many, he would like both those players at the Emirates.
The plan would involve adding a solid player and another to replace Partey in the long term. Arteta is keen to accelerate those objectives and make a splash next summer. Chelsea also retain an interest in Caicedo. But going by the late twist in the chase, the Ecuadorian had his heart set on Arsenal.
Adding Rice and Caicedo would signal a huge statement of intent by Arteta and Arsenal. The duo would form a midfield partnership for years to come and allow the Gunners to continue challenging for the biggest honours in football.