Brighton will demand a whopping £90million transfer fee from Arsenal should they decide to sell Moises Caicedo this month.
The 21-year-old appeared to bid farewell to the Seagulls on Friday night after posting a heartfelt message on his social media channels. Caicedo was subject of a £60m bid from the Gunners, but that was turned down by the south coast side. It now appears that the Ecuador international may be trying to force through an exit.
However, according to the Independent, Brighton have set a £90m price tag on Caicedo's head and will reportedly require that sum of money before deciding to sell their star man. The midfielder still has two-and-a-half years left on his current deal at the Amex Stadium and Brighton will not be forced to sell the player.
The Seagulls want to find a replacement for Caicedo before they consider letting him go, even if their valuation is met. It is said that RB Leipzig playmaker Amadou Haidara has been identified as a player of interest but the German outfit are unwilling to sell with so little time left to find an alternative of their own.
Roberto de Zerbi's side will be without Caicedo for the FA Cup fourth round tie against Liverpool on Sunday. According to a number of reports, the Seagulls have banned him from the training ground until after the transfer window closes. But Brighton still do not want to see Caicedo sold this month and expect him to return for the second-half of the campaign as the South Coast club attempt to seal a place in Europe.
On Friday night, Caicedo said on social media: "I am grateful to Mr. Bloom 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.
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"I am the youngest of 10 siblings from a poor upbringing in Santa Domingo in Ecuador. My dream has 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."
Leandro Trossard became the latest high-profile player to leave Brighton earlier this month when he decided to join Arsenal for a fee in the region of £27m. Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma and Ben White are amongst the many to depart the Seagulls for big fees in the past couple of seasons.
