Arsenal have agreed a deal with Brighton for winger Leandro Trossard, football.london has been told. After Mykhailo Mudryk snubbed the Gunners in favour of Chelsea, Mikel Arteta has now turned his attention elsewhere.
Mudryk flirted heavily with a switch to the Emirates Stadium but the Ukrainian ended up moving to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea confirming the deal at the weekend. So, Arsenal are now looking at alternatives to the new Chelsea signing and Brighton's Trossard has been identified as the main target.
The Gunners opened talks with the Seagulls on Thursday over a move for Trossard in the January transfer window, football.london understands, and a fee has now been agreed. This could, indirectly at least, have an impact on what Chelsea are planning to do between now and the end of the month.
READ MORE: Graham Potter looks to repeat something Thomas Tuchel only managed once for Chelsea vs Liverpool
Chelsea are interested in Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo and are expected to sound out the Seagulls over a move for the Ecuadorian, football.london understands. The 21-year-old midfielder has been so impressive for Brighton so far this season under Graham Potter and now Roberto De Zerbi and his stock around Europe continues to rise.
Caicedo has also been linked with a move to Liverpool, who like Chelsea, are also looking for a new central midfielder this month. There were rumours that the Reds were willing to pay £42million for the Brighton midfielder's signature, but Seagulls CEO Paul Barber laughed this off.
He said: "Maybe Liverpool have not got my email because I haven't seen any [offers]. I'm not sure £42m will even include the boots now, maybe just the laces. But joking aside, every player's value is ultimately determined by the market."
The £70million figure has been floated around a lot online and it looks like if Chelsea were to convince Brighton, then it would take a sum in that region rather than the aforementioned £42million. But Albion sources are reiterating their desire to keep Caicedo beyond this month as they look to continue their impressive season so far.
Also, with their imminent sale of Trossard to Arsenal, it could make Brighton double down on their stern stance. Especially when you consider the south coast-based club sold three key players in Marc Cucurella, Yves Bissouma and Neal Maupay last summer to Premier League rivals.
So, it could come as another setback for Chelsea as they continue their hunt for a new central midfielder. At one point, it looked as if the Blues were close to signing Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, but the two clubs couldn't agree on the structure of what would have been a big-money deal.
Chelsea's interest in Fernandez remains but it has definitely cooled, hence their pursuit of Caicedo. Arsenal have been linked with long-term target Declan Rice this week, but Chelsea were never planning on pursuing a move for the West Ham United midfielder this month anyway.
READ NEXT:
Chelsea sent £62m reminder for transfer plans ahead of Liverpool clash amid Graham Potter stance
Mykhailo Mudryk in and two more Chelsea squad changes for Graham Potter to consider vs Liverpool
What Mykhailo Mudryk said to Ruben Loftus-Cheek in training as recalled Chelsea ace features
'Welcome to Chelsea' – Blues fans make same transfer joke amid Leandro Trossard to Arsenal talks
Jurgen Klopp may have already provided an early Liverpool team news hint ahead of Chelsea clash
