Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has reiterated that he hopes Moises Caicedo will stay at the club until the end of the season. Chelsea and Arsenal have both shown interest in the January transfer window but the Seagulls have remained firm on their stance that he is not for sale mid-season.
The Blues were the main party pushing for a deal sending a £55million bid for Caicedo which was swiftly rejected. Arsenal then emerged as possible contenders for his services with Brighton receiving a £60million bid for Caicedo on Friday, football.london understands.
That offer was also rejected, but upon learning of interest from north London, Caicedo himself released a statement on his future, hinting that he is hoping for a winter exit.
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The statement read: "I am grateful to Mr. Bloom [the Seagulls owner] and Brighton for giving me the chance to come to the Premier League and I feel I have always done my best for them. I always play football with a smile and with heart.
"I am the youngest of 10 siblings from a poor upbringing in Santa Domingo in Ecuador. My dream always to be the most decorated player in the history of Ecuador. I am proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton which would allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful.
"The fans have taken me into their hearts and they will always be in my heart so I hope they can understand why I want to take up this magnificent opportunity."
Subsequently Brighton instructed Caicedo to remain away from the club until the end of the January transfer window, which saw him not involved in training on Saturday and therefore missing from the squad to face Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Prior to that statement, De Zerbi talked down claims of an exit for Caicedo in his pre-match Liverpool press conference. "He [Caicedo] is a good guy. He is focused on Brighton. I hope he can stay with us until the end of the season. In my opinion that is the best solution for us. I can understand other big teams want Caicedo, Mac Allister, Mitoma, and March."
Ahead of the Seagulls fourth round clash in the FA Cup against Liverpool, two weeks after they beat Jurgen Klopp's men 3-0 at the Amex, De Zerbi was again asked about Caicedo where he revealed his stance remains the same.
"Moises is a good guy," he told ITV Sport. "We will see tomorrow and the next few days what happens. We hope he stays us with us until the end of the season but this is a question for the club and Moises.
"I think in life you can make mistakes. For everyone there are many solutions and we will see the best solution for the club and for him and for us."
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