Here is your morning Arsenal digest on Thursday, February 9.
Caicedo latest
According to transfer guru Rudy Galetti, Arsenal could end their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo this summer if Albert Sambi Lokonga enjoys a promising loan spell with Crystal Palace during the remainder of the season. Caicedo was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium last month and the Gunners saw two bids for the Ecuadorian rebuffed by the Seagulls, who made it clear that he was not for sale during the winter transfer window.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Galetti said: “In the summer, they could try again for Moises Caicedo, but [Mikel] Arteta wants to make a final decision only after evaluating the performance of [Albert] Sambi Lokonga, who is now on loan at Crystal Palace.
READ MORE: Mark Noble delivers honest verdict on Declan Rice West Ham exit amid Arsenal transfer links
"So, it’s an option, but at the moment, nothing has been decided yet for Moises Caicedo in the summer."
Trippier claim
Newcastle United right-back Kieran Trippier has claimed that West Ham captain Declan Rice is better than Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey and Manchester United star Casemiro.
"Declan’s unbelievable," the former Tottenham Hotspur man told Rio Ferdinand's Vibe with FIVE podcast. "I don’t know if you watched the game the other day when we [Newcastle] played West Ham, just his intelligence, the way he breaks up play, how he travels with it, powerful, unbelievable.
"Probably one of the best in the world in what he does." Trippier was then asked if he thinks Rice is better than both Partey and United holding midfielder Casemiro, to which he responded: "Yeah.
"As defenders you appreciate like me you appreciate the likes of Michael Carrick or Declan, it makes your job easier, they’re just mopping everything up.
"Don’t get me wrong, Casemiro, the trophies he’s won - the Champions Leagues - of course he’s a world-class player, but if you’re talking right now, Dec is incredible, he’s got the age as well."
Read more here.
Milinkovic-Savic pursuit
Arsenal are the favourites to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport via Sport Witness.
Milinkovic-Savic has established himself as one of Serie A's most well-rounded No.8s over the last few years, with his rare blend of technical ability, physical prowess and intelligent movement making him one of the most widely sought-after players in Italy's top-flight. It is now claimed that the Serbian international is keen to leave Lazio at the end of the current campaign and the Gunners are said to be frontrunners in the race to sign him.
Read the full story here.
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