Arsenal's interest in Brighton star Moises Caicedo dates back to January of this year and the reason why the Gunners are so keen has become clearer.
Mikel Arteta is thought to have submitted multiple offers for the Ecuadorian during the January transfer window earlier this year, with the highest coming in at £70million. That proposal was swiftly rejected by the Seagulls, who expected more for one of their prized assets who has since signed a lucractive new contract at the Amex.
As a result, Caicedo is certainly not going anywhere on the cheap this summer. Despite the rejected bids at the turn of the year, Arsenal still harbour hopes of landing the 21-year-old's signature in the coming months and part of that is due to his versatility.
It has become apparent that Arteta's main aim with all incomings this summer is that they boast sufficient quality in a number of different positions across the pitch.
The Arsenal boss is attracted by the idea that Caicedo could be deployed in a few different roles, including at the base of midfield and further forward as one of two number eight's. He also often played at right-back for Brighton in the final few months of the season.
For now, Declan Rice is the main focus of those at the top of the Arsenal hierarchy. That does not rule out the signing of Caicedo, but the Gunners may potentially have to fork out just shy of £200m to secure the pair of them.
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Such a figure may mean Arsenal part ways with some prominent faces within the current crop to try and generate the required funds for both their dream midfield and the other areas of the side that need strengthening.
However, Arsenal have a battle on their hands in their pursuit of Caicedo, given they are not the only Premier League giants interested. Chelsea are currently prowling the market in search of a replacement for the Al-Ittihad-bound N'Golo Kante and are believed to think very highly of the Brighton midfielder.
Given Caicedo grew up idolising Kante, Chelsea may feel they have the upper hand in the race for his signing.
His deal means Caicedo is tied to the Amex until the summer of 2027, which in turn puts Brighton in a strong position ahead of a window that will surely see the bids flood in from many different suitors.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi seems resigned to losing the midfielder.
"For sure we will lose some players, maybe Caicedo and [Alexis] Mac Allister," the Italian told Sky Sports last month. Since then, Mac Allister has already left for Liverpool, which hardly bodes well for the Seagulls faithful hoping to keep hold of their dynamic midfield star.
