Moises Caicedo has once again made it clear that he is pushing for a move away from Brighton with both Chelsea and Arsenal interested in signing the midfielder this month. With just three days to run in the winter window the Ecuadorian is the player to watch.
Having been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea last summer as well as a move in January to Stamford Bridge, Arsenal entered the fray with a late bid of their own, coming in at £60million. That was only slightly higher than Chelsea's own rejected £55million earlier in the week, but signalled their intent all the same.
Brighton, who have already sold Marc Cucurella and Leandro Trossard in the past six months, are under no financial pressure to sell the 21-year-old but could be left with an unhappy player after reports suggested he would hand in a transfer request in order to get a deal done.
READ MORE: What Moises Caicedo bid from Arsenal means for Chelsea transfer of Declan Rice after £60m offer
Cucurella did similar to force through a move after Chelsea made their interest known but it did little to get him to London with the Blues forced to pay £62million regardless. Caicedo is valued at more than that and would become the club's record sale should he leave the south coast.
After a statement thanking owner Tony Bloom for the trust put in him, Caicedo has once more made his feelings clear, missing training ahead of the Seagulls' FA Cup tie with Liverpool on Sunday. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano now reports: "Understand Moises Caicedo could not train with the squad on Saturday after his decision to go public and ask the club to leave.
"Caicedo will decide tomorrow - but he has been clear with Brighton: he wants to get the opportunity... Brighton still want to keep Moises."
Romano then confirmed the news, writing, "Moises Caicedo didn’t turn up for training today — he wants leave immediately. Caicedo could also miss tomorrow’s game. Understand Arsenal are expected to improve their bid, after £60m revealed yesterday.
"Chelsea offered £55m — rejected too."
CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has also revealed the course of action for the rest of the window, saying: "Moises Caicedo will not return to Brighton until AFTER the transfer window closes. Club stance on a sale remains unchanged. Caicedo will not be part of the FA Cup game with Liverpool. Although suitors (and Caicedo's new agents) haven't given up, Brighton planning to keep hold."
With Brighton attempting to sign Amadou Haidara from RB Leipzig there is still a chance that Caicedo could yet move this month; if not, it is certainly one to watch for the summer. For now though, Chelsea and Arsenal may well be attracted to the eagerness and determination shown by their target to force through a move.
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