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Arsenal prepare third offer for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
According to reports, Arsenal are preparing a third bid for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, but the Seagulls remain adamant they will not entertain his departure.
During this transfer window, the Gunners have already had bids between £60 million and £70 million (£65 million plus £5 million) rejected. The first of these rejections caused Caicedo to openly implore Brighton to sell him before the transfer window shuts on Tuesday.
Caicedo has been allowed time away from Brighton until the transfer market closes, after which they fully anticipate the Ecuadorian international to be back in the gym and completely concentrated on Roberto De Zerbi’s unexpected bid for European football.
Arsenal is preparing to increase their offer even further after having their first two offers were rejected. According to reports, the Gunners are currently putting together a proposal worth £75 million.
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But according to sources close to the Seagulls, who have made it clear that Caicedo is not for sale in the middle of the season, it is not likely to be enough to persuade Brighton to sell.
De Zerbi has publicly urged both Brighton and Caicedo to reject a move this month.
“It’s already difficult for me to be a coach – to be coach and chairman would be too difficult,” he said recently. “Caicedo is a very good guy. I understand it when you are 21 and the chance of a big team in Europe. But I would like him to finish the season with us.
“[Chairman] Tony Bloom knows very well my opinion. We lost [Leandro] Trossard and if we also lose Caicedo it’s a problem for us if we want to fight for Europe. If we don’t lose Caicedo we are ready to fight.”’
Chelsea is interested in Caicedo as well, but the Blues have shifted their attention back to midfielder Enzo Fernandez of Benfica. A number of high-ranking Stamford Bridge executives are driving negotiations over a transfer that could be worth more than €120 million.
As the transfer market draws to a close, it is said that Arsenal is also examining its options, with a redoubled effort to sign Youri Tielemans from Leicester City as one such possibility.