As the final days of the transfer window approach, it's clear that Arsenal's main target is Moises Caicedo. Mikel Arteta has already been willing to admit that his side are in for a midfielder before Tuesday's deadline day after Mohamed Elneny suffered a knee injury that could rule him out for the rest of the season.
"We need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can," he told football.london on Thursday. "In this market it’s pretty complicated to do that. The most important thing is that we get the performances and the time on the pitch that we need with the players we have available today that are already really good."
The Gunners have already had a £60million bid rejected for Caicedo though and have been told in direct communication by the Seagulls that he is not for sale. This would appear to leave any deal dead in the water, but there is still a glimmer of hope.
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football.london understands that the Arsenal hierarchy are of the opinion that if Brighton are able to bring in a midfielder who can replace Caicedo before the January transfer window slams shut on Tuesday evening then negotiations could be back on. The Seagulls have reportedly made a bid for RB Leipzig's Amadou Haidara, but as things stand, it is not thought that they are close to making a signing.
Should they bring in a player though, there is hope that it could spark a domino effect that ends up with Caicedo coming to the Emirates. Arsenal have built up a good relationship with Brighton across deals for Ben White and Leandro Trossard in recent years and are keen to preserve that. Sources at the club have made it categorically clear to football.london that they had nothing to do with the Ecuadorian's social media posts on Friday night in which he pleaded with the Brighton hierarchy to allow him to leave. However, it is thought that the player is keen on a move to north London and he has been told not to come to training until the matter is resolved.
The desperation to bring in a midfielder before Tuesday's deadline has been eased slightly by news that Thomas Partey's injury that forced him off at half time is not thought to be serious. However, Arsenal would still like to bring in Caicedo before then.
It is thought that the move for the Ecuadorian will not affect the Gunners' pursuit of Declan Rice who football.london understands is the main target for the summer. Ideally, Arsenal would like to sign both, and there is still hope that they can make that happen.
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