The start of the winter transfer window is fast approaching and teams will frantically try to strengthen their squad before the market closes to have a strong end to the season. While Arsenal do not need to panic as the season has started off very well, there is still work that can be done to improve the squad.
Two positions seem to be the main targets for the Gunners, as Edu has reportedly been chasing players in the midfield and wing areas. A midfielder the Gunners have been linked with is Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Ecuadorian has had a strong start to his first full season in the Premier League, as the Seagulls currently sit seventh in the Premier League table. Arsenal are not the only reported suitors in for him, as rival teams have also been watching his impressive start to the campaign, and Liverpool or Chelsea facing defeat in the race for Enzo Fernandez could bring Arsenal into an unwanted transfer battle.
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According to Portuguese news outlet A Bola, Benfica have received two offers for Fernandez worth €127million (£112million) which is worth more than the amount of his release clause. Both Chelsea and Liverpool have been heavily linked to the midfielder.
This comes after Sky Sports had reported that Arsenal’s two rivals were also interested in signing Caicedo from Brighton, despite the Gunners also being heavily linked to the midfielder.
If Edu does opt against signing Youri Tielemans with football.london understanding that the Brazilian is prepared to wait and sign him on a free transfer next summer, then it is crucial that an alternative is signed. Caicedo would certainly be a good option.
A deal seemed tough to complete in the summer due to the comments made by previous manager Graham Potter, as he said, via our colleagues at SussexLive: "Well, it doesn't surprise me that people are looking at him because he is playing at a fantastic level; and as soon as you do research on him you realise he is a top kid, great person, young, playing in the Premier League, has all the attributes to play at the very, very highest level."
He was also asked about the potential £42million price tag in order to sign the Ecuadorian, and Potter replied by saying: "I think you'd probably get his boots for that for the chairman maybe, knowing the chairman. It's not for me to talk about. It is what it is."
When asked if it would be closer to £100million, Potter laughed and said: "Yeah, well they can try."
But, with Potter no longer in charge at Brighton, it could allow Edu to test Brighton’s resolve. Arsenal must be proactive in completing a deal, however Liverpool or Chelsea’s disappointment in their Fernandez pursuit means that they are now more than likely to target alternatives with the signing of Caicedo being a potential avenue to go down.
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