The end of the winter transfer window is fast approaching and teams will frantically try to strengthen their squad before the market closes to have a strong end to the season. While Arsenal do not need to panic as the season has started off very well, there is still work that can be done to improve the squad.
Two positions seem to be the main targets for the Gunners, as Edu has reportedly been chasing players in the midfield and wing areas. A midfielder the Gunners have been linked with is Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Ecuadorian has had a strong start to his first full season in the Premier League, as the Seagulls currently sit seventh in the Premier League table. Arsenal are not the only reported suitor in for him, as rival teams have also been watching his impressive start to the campaign.
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Chelsea had seemed to be leading the race to sign the midfielder, however, the Telegraph are now reporting that Arsenal are considering a move for Caicedo and could once again go head-to-head with Chelsea in the transfer market as the race intensifies for the Brighton midfield. Telegraph’s report adds that Arsenal’s pursuit of Caicedo, does not impact their summer plans to sign Declan Rice in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal already suffered a major blow in the transfer window following Chelsea’s acquisition of Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk. The Gunners were advanced in their negotiations before the Blues hijacked a deal.
If Edu does opt against signing Youri Tielemans with football.london understanding that the Brazilian is prepared to wait and sign him on a free transfer next season, then it is crucial that an alternative is signed. Caicedo would certainly be a good option.
A deal seemed tough to complete in the summer due to the comments made by previous manager Graham Potter, as he said, via SussexLive: "Well, it doesn't surprise me that people are looking at him because he is playing at a fantastic level; and as soon as you do research on him you realise he is a top kid great person, young, playing in the Premier League, has all the attributes to play at the very, very highest level."
He was also asked about the potential £42million price tag in order to sign the Ecuadorian, and Potter replied by saying: "I think you'd probably get his boots for that for the chairman maybe, knowing the chairman," he joked. "It's not for me to talk about. It is what it is."
When asked if it would be closer to £100million, Potter laughed and said: "Yeah, well they can try."
But, with Potter no longer in charge at Brighton, it could allow Edu to test Brighton’s resolve. Arsenal must be proactive in completing a deal, however as Chelsea have already shown their prowess in this window.
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