Brighton have responded to Moises Caicedo's plea to leave the club this window. The 21-year-old currently has the eyes of the footballing world on him after bids coming in from Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Gunners have seemingly made a big difference to the player's stance, offering a title charge to the Ecuadorian however, Brighton's own insistence on him remaining has not wavered. The Seagulls signed him for under £5million and already value him at over £75million, the price being demanded this window.
Chelsea offer familiarity though with Graham Potter in charge and the same backroom staff Caicedo worked with under the English manager.
READ MORE: What Moises Caicedo bid from Arsenal means for Chelsea transfer of Declan Rice after £60m offer
In a bid to force a move at the end of this window Caicedo has been active in making his feelings known, posting on social media before also missing training on Saturday morning. Roberto De Zerbi's men face Liverpool at the Amex Stadium on Sunday and Caicedo won't be involved in that game either.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed this, writing on Twitter: "Moises Caicedo didn’t turn up for training today - he wants leave immediately. Caicedo could also miss tomorrow’s game. Understand Arsenal are expected to improve their bid, after £60million revealed yesterday. Chelsea offered £55million - rejected too."
With no financial need to sell the player and also being in a tricky position to sign a replacement at this stage of the window Brighton are under little pressure to sell their current star. This doesn't mean things are simple though.
CBS reporter Ben Jacobs reports that the midfielder won't be returning to training until after the January 31 transfer deadline. "Moises Caicedo will not return to Brighton until AFTER the transfer window closes," he put on Twitter. "Club stance on a sale remains unchanged. Caicedo will not be part of the FA Cup game with Liverpool. Although suitors (and Caicedo's new agents) haven't given up, Brighton planning to keep hold."
Jacobs also added, "Brighton remain calm about the situation. Both the #CFC and #AFC bids to date were rejected robustly and without engagement. Caicedo clearly wants a move, and his agents remain active, but Brighton believe time off is the best course of action ahead of second half of the season.
"There is a belief that Caicedo staying away actually protects him from the noise. Although his absence will naturally fuel further speculation, Brighton view it as a short period for him to reflect and re-focus ahead of the second half of the season."
With just three days remaining of the January window it remains to be seen how things will pan out with this deal.
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