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.
Arsenal ramped up their interest on Friday as a £60million bid for Moises Caicedo had been rejected, football.london understands. The Gunners submitted a proposal for the Ecuadorian international to Brighton, but it is thought that the Seagulls rejected the approach promptly. That follows a £55million bid from Chelsea which was rejected earlier this week.
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Following the Gunners’ bid, Caicedo released a statement on Instagram making it known that he wished to depart Brighton & Hove Albion. The statement read: read: "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.
"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."
After reports emerged that Arsenal had struck up an interest in Declan Rice, the Gunners then moved to hijack the Blues' deal for Caicedo in the winter window. On the same day that a £60million offer from north London was submitted, Caicedo took to social media to deliver his thoughts on the ongoing transfer saga.
Arsenal lost 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth round against Manchester City on Friday evening. After the defeat, Mikel Arteta was asked about Caicedo’s statement. He said: "You know that I’m not gonna comment on any players till anything is done and I’ll continue like that sorry.
"We’ve been pretty active. We have some necessities and if something else is available the club is willing to try to do it when it’s reasonable and hopefully it’s a player that can improve our squad."
With four days remaining in the transfer window, Arsenal are set for a frantic end to get this deal over the line. It remains to be seen if Caicedo will wear red and white come the Tuesday deadline.
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