According to reports, Arsenal will end their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo. This comes after the London side had a lowball offer for West Ham’s Declan Rice rejected, so it looks as though the Gunners are carefully considering their summer spending.
Premier League runners-up Arsenal have pulled out of the race to sign Moises Caicedo, according to ‘The Times’. The outlet reported that the London club will go no further on talks for the Brighton midfielder.
The Gunners had been interested in Caicedo in the January window earlier this year, but Brighton stood firm and would not hear offers for the Ecuadorian. Now, the Seagulls seem to accept that the star will want to leave, and he has been pegged as one of the summer’s biggest transfers.
However, after a stellar season with Brighton, it was no secret that Caicedo would not come cheap, with ‘Daily Mail’ reporting he was worth £80 million (around €93 million).
This would always have been a sticking point for Arsenal, who’s midfield priority has long been England captain, Declan Rice. The Gunners had a lowball offer rejected this week by West Ham for Rice, who stand firmly by their valuation of Rice at around £100 million (almost €117 million), which means that they need to carefully consider where they’re spending this summer.
Midfield reinforcement look to be Arsenal’s priority, as they face the likely departure of Granit Xhaka, and speculations have been swirling that he could be joined in his departure by fellow midfielders Thomas Partey and Jorginho, though neither of these are much more than rumours.
Brighton’s high asking price has reportedly not deterred Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Man United and Chelsea however, and ‘Daily Mail’ report they are still interested, after Caicedo’s midfield partner Alexis Mac Allister was recently sold to Liverpool.
🚨| Arsenal have withdrawn their interest in Moisés Caicedo, who was one of their targets at the start of the summer. Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in the Ecuador international.
— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) June 15, 2023
[@TimesSport via @CFCPys] #afc pic.twitter.com/yo3OwrbEpd