Moises Caicedo's actions have been slammed as "disrespectful" after the Brighton star attempted to force through a move to Arsenal.
The Gunners are looking to bolster their ranks this summer with the Premier League title in their sights. They are short in midfield and have identified the Seagulls star as a potential signing with a £60m deal potentially on the cards amid interest from rivals Chelsea.
Brighton have shown themselves willing to part with their major stars for the right price. Caicedo though has already talked up his potential exit with a post on social media that underlined his desire to take up the "magnificent opportunity" as he called for understanding.
Jamie O'Hara though has taken aim at the Ecuadorian, who has since been told to stay away from the club until the transfer market closes. Brighton remain competitive this season, seeing off Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday, and Caicedo's decision has been criticised as unprofessional.
O'Hara told Sky Sports: “You have to do what they have done, ban him from coming into the training ground. I think it’s really poor from him. He has been badly advised. As a football player, Arsenal are supposedly in for him, it’s a big-money move and the opportunity to play for a huge football club.
“But it’s so disrespectful to Brighton, it’s not like he is in a League One or Championship team. He is playing for Brighton, who are flying, by the way, and playing really good football, with brilliant fans. They have given him the opportunity. So, for him to come out and say he wants to leave. The deal isn’t even done, it’s probably not anywhere near being done. For him to come out and say that, I think it’s poor as a player, not professional.”
Arsenal have largely relied on Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in the middle of the pitch with both men playing regularly under Mikel Arteta. There is a lack of cover should one of them get injured - which is a theme on the red half of north London.
Already the Gunners have negotiated with Brighton this month having signed Leandro Trossard, who clashed with the Seagulls boss and was later allowed to leave for £27m. Roberto De Zerbi has already warned the board at the Amex that they can ill afford to let major names leave if they want to enjoy a promising end to the season.
He said: “I would like him to finish the season with us. But we are ready to go forward without him - I think we need some players in some positions. We lost [Leandro] Trossard and if we also lose Caicedo, it can be a problem for us if we want to fight for Europe.”
