Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo has admitted that he was “really close” to joining Arsenal in January and “suffered a lot” when the move collapsed.
Arsenal failed with two bids for Caicedo during the most recent transfer window, with the second offer worth around £70million. Brighton, however, rejected all approaches for the Ecuador international as they insisted he would not be leaving mid-season.
Arsenal instead made a deadline-day swoop for Jorginho, signing him from Chelsea for £12m, and Caicedo remained at Brighton.
“I was really close to going [to Arsenal],” Caicedo told the Daily Telegraph. “I suffered a lot. I’m sure I'm going to have many more opportunities. That’s why I continue to do things well.
“[But] it was tough. At the beginning when I didn’t end up going, lots of people would make fun of me on Instagram. People treated me badly. I didn’t check my social media because it would hurt me to see things.
“I’d seen a lot of Arsenal before knowing that there was a possibility of me signing for them. I watched them and I liked them because they have very young, talented players and some stars but they always have that mindset of wanting more.”
Caicedo was dropped from the Brighton squad during the transfer saga in January, but last month he signed a new contract until 2027.
“This team opened their door to me and offered me a new contract, so I signed it,” said the 21-year-old. “When I came back, they welcomed me once again. That was lovely for me because it was like being at home again.
“They all supported me. So, I resumed training, full of hunger to be back in the side and help them.
“He (Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi) approached me, we spoke and he told me to be calm. That it wouldn’t be the last club that would come in for me.
“I’d have more opportunities and he told me to keep on doing what I was doing and that I'll see in the future I wouldn't be sorry about staying.”
Interest in Caicedo has not faded since January, with Chelsea and Liverpool the latest clubs to be linked with moves.
“I just want to have a really good season with Brighton now, to finish off the season well and play really well and then we'll see what happens next season,” he added.
