Arsenal in discussions for new Moises Caicedo bid as Brighton boss De Zerbi drops crucial transfer hint
Arsenal are planning to make an improved offer for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Brighton have already lost Leandro Trossard to Arsenal this month and now Caicedo could follow suit. The midfielder has impressed at the Amex Stadium and seems capable of progressing with a bigger club.
Chelsea have also been linked with Caicedo, but Arsenal have been making concrete moves recently. They submitted a £60million bid for the Ecuador international this week, only for Brighton to reject it.
However, TEAMtalk then revealed that Caicedo would be handing in a transfer request. Subsequently, he issued a statement imploring Brighton to accept a big bid for him.
There has been a growing feeling that Arsenal will try to test Brighton’s resolve again before the transfer window closes on January 31.
Now, Romano has revealed that the Premier League leaders are holding internal discussions about an increased bid for Caicedo.
The reporter tweeted: “Arsenal have not submitted a new bid on Saturday for Moises Caicedo — but understand club discussing internally about new proposal for £70m package with add ons included.
“Brighton insist on no intention to sell Moises in January — not for that money.”
A fee of £70m would make Caicedo Arsenal’s second most expensive signing of all time. But they might have to go further and break their transfer record to persuade Brighton into a sale.
However, on the same day they have knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup – a match Caicedo was not called up for – Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has hinted that the Seagulls are preparing to go forward without the 21-year-old despite his “mistake” of asking to leave.
De Zerbi gives double Moises Caicedo update
Before the match, De Zerbi told ITV: “Moises is a good guy, we will see tomorrow and the next days what happens. We hope he stays with us until the end of the season.
“In life you can make mistake. For everyone there are many solutions. We will see the best solution for him and for us.”
But the Italian tactician has since added some comments that might be more promising for Arsenal.
De Zerbi said: “It’s already difficult for me to be a coach; to be coach and chairman would be too difficult.
“Caicedo is a very good guy. I understand it when you are 21 and the chance of a big team in Europe. But I would like him to finish the season with us.
“(Chairman) Tony Bloom knows very well my opinion. We lost Trossard and if we also lose Caicedo it’s a problem for us if we want to fight for Europe.
“If we don’t lose Caicedo we are ready to fight.”
Brighton are currently sixth in the Premier League table at the halfway stage of their season, whereas Arsenal are top.
Making the move could allow Caicedo to compete for a league title, but Brighton have their own ambitions this season whereby he could play his part in a significant achievement.
Caicedo is under contract on the South Coast until 2025, but Brighton will be facing pressure to keep him over the next 48 hours or so.
