Arsenal Transfers: Gunners likely to be priced out of Moises Caicedo move

Arsenal target Moises Caicedo made it clear on Friday night that he wants out of Brighton, but the Seagulls’ stance regarding his transfer is yet to alter. Thus, it’ll take a mammoth offer from the Gunners to sign the midfielder before the deadline.

The Seagulls have been left unimpressed by the player’s social media post in which he declared that he wanted to leave the club.

Caicedo has been a revelation on the south coast after he arrived from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle for £4.5m in February 2021, but he has played just 26 Premier League games.

Still, Brighton, who have seen key players depart for big fees in recent windows, value the Ecuadorian international immensely and they’ve made it clear that Caicedo will not leave this month unless their valuation is matched.

Gunners likely to be priced out of Moises Caicedo move

Chelsea and Arsenal have respectively had £55m and £60m bids rejected by Brighton for Caicedo, with Miguel Delaney reporting that the Seagulls will only sell for £90m before the deadline.

Despite the player’s plea to depart, Brighton’s stance has not changed. The Gunners will have to cough up the aforementioned sum if they want to bring the Ecuadorian to north London.

Caicedo isn’t expected to take part in the Seagulls’ FA Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool on Sunday after missing training on Saturday, but the club strongly expect the midfielder to be available beyond deadline day.

While Arsenal are seemingly desperate for a midfield addition, especially if Thomas Partey’s injury will sideline him for a couple of weeks, £90m is an extortionate price for the albeit excellent Caicedo. The Gunners have the funds, but it’s hard to envisage Edu and company succumbing to Brighton’s demands.

There are just a few days left in the January window, so unless Brighton have a sudden change of heart, alternative targets must be sounded out swiftly.