Look out! Transfer deadline day is just around the corner.
With two signings in the bag, Arsenal are still exploring the market before the January window closes next Tuesday – deadline day. The Gunners have already secured the additions of Polish defender Jakub Kiwior from Italian side Spezia for a cool £21million, and they acted fast to strike a £27m deal with Brighton to take wantaway Belgian winger Leandro Trossard off their hands.
But manager Mikel Arteta, technical director Edu and the rest of the Arsenal hierarchy evidently aren’t putting their feet up. Ahead of their FA Cup clash with Manchester City on Friday, the Gunners lodged a bid for another Brighton star in Moises Caicedo – and there’s already a growing saga surrounding that potential move.
Here’s a round-up of the latest transfer news from the Emirates.
£60m Caicedo bid rejected
Arsenal’s £60million bid to sign Moises Caicedo has reportedly been rejected. Mikel Arteta and co were keen on signing the 21-year-old midfielder but have been knocked back.
Brighton are desperate to keep hold of Caicedo, two years after signing him from Ecuadorian giants Independiente del Valle for only £4.5m. Despite the Gunners offering more than 13 times that amount and slightly more than the £55m which Chelsea saw turned down last week, the Athletic report that the latest bid has been rejected.
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Caicedo’s stance emerges
Staying with the Ecuador international, the Mail claim that he’s ready to force through a move – but not only to the Emirates. With Chelsea boss Graham Potter keen on a reunion, Caicedo would allegedly be willing to submit a transfer request in order to ensure that a deal to their Premier League heavyweight goes through.
Potter was the man who signed the highly-rated midfield dynamo for Brighton in January 2021 and Caicedo played a key role for him until the Englishman’s departure in September. Continuing to impress in Roberto De Zerbi’s system, the Ecuadorian would be keen to work with Potter again but is also open to joining Arsenal should they strike a deal with the resolute Seagulls.
Zubimendi setback
As for alternatives to Caicedo, Real Sociedad have reportedly told Arsenal that they’ll only allow midfield star Martin Zubimendi to leave the club this month if his €60million (£52.8m) release clause is met. The Gunners are understood to be admirers of the Spanish playmaker, 23, who notably signed a bumper new five-year deal a few months ago.
While Arteta has still instructed club chiefs to pursue a move, the Times claim that Arsenal will be forced to meet Real Sociedad’s lofty asking price in order to beat Barcelona in the race for his signature. It’s also been reported elsewhere that Zubimendi would be reluctant to leave his boyhood club during such an exciting season for the San Sebastian-based side, who are currently third in LaLiga approaching the halfway stage.
