Arsenal are pursuing a £100million deal to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice this summer. Mikel Arteta wants to sign the England international and one other midfielder ahead of next season.
The Gunners hold an interest in Brighton star Moises Caicedo after having two bids for the Ecuadorian rejected by Roberto De Zerbi's side during the January transfer window. Chelsea are set to push for Caicedo's signing this summer, football.london understands - with Mauricio Pochettino hoping to add a new midfielder, goalkeeper and striker to his squad at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues had a verbal offer for Caicedo rejected by Brighton during January but are ready to enter a bidding war with Arsenal for the 21-year-old talent. Caicedo signed a new long-term contract to stay with the Seagulls until 2027, with a club option for an extra year, but he is expected to leave De Zerbi's team this summer.
Brighton have already lost Alexis Mac Allister - who joined Liverpool in a £35million deal - but will hope to receive a fee closer to £90million for Caicedo. With Arsenal progressing in their pursuit of Rice's signature, it could allow Chelsea to steal a march on their rivals and secure a deal to sign the Brighton star.
Transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio has tipped Bayern Munich to join Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to land Caicedo this summer. "Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo will have a domino effect," he told wettfreunde.net.
"If Rice goes to Arsenal, Caicedo goes to Chelsea or Bayern. These three clubs [Bayern, Arsenal and Chelsea] apply for Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo - he will definitely leave Brighton."
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Arsenal may not have the financial ability to complete deals for both Rice and Caicedo this summer with Brighton demanding a similar fee to the £100million the Gunners are preparing to offer West Ham for the England international. This could cost Arteta his dream midfield next season as he must choose where to spend his transfer budget.
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