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Arsenal are reportedly considering a third bid to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Mikel Arteta recently revealed that he is keen for the Gunners to sign a new central midfielder before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with Caicedo emerging as their top target.
Arsenal are understood to have seen two bids worth £60m and £70m respectivley rejected by Brighton for the 21-year-old, who publicly expressed his desire to leave the Seagulls on social media on Friday.
“I am grateful to Mr. Bloom (club chairman Tony Bloom) and Brighton for giving me the chance to come to the Premier League and I feel I have always done my best for them. I always play football with a smile and with heart,” Caicedo posted.
“I am the youngest of 10 siblings from a poor upbringing in Santa Domingo in Ecuador. My dream always to be the most decorated player in the history of Ecuador.
“I am proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton which would allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful.
“The fans have taken me into their hearts and they will always be in my heart so I hope they can understand why I want to take up this magnificent opportunity.”
Brighton are said to have made it clear to interested clubs that Caicedo is not for sale this month and they intend to keep hold of the midfielder, who is under contract at the Amex Stadium until June 2025.
However, according to the Evening Standard, Arsenal will consider tabling a third offer for the Ecuador international which would likely exceed the club-record £72m that they spent on Nicolas Pepe in 2019.
Caicedo, who has also been linked with Chelsea and Liverpool, has allegedly been told to stay away from first-team training until after the winter window closes in the hope that he returns in the right frame of mind for the remainder of the season.
Despite Brighton’s insistence of keeping hold of Caicedo this month, head coach Roberto De Zerbi believes that his side are able to manage without the midfielder.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, De Zerbi said: “Caicedo is a very, very good guy. I can understand him, when you are 21 and you receive the request of a big, big team that are playing in European competition.
“I have a big respect for the players and Caicedo is a very good guy. I love him, I respect his decision. I would like it if he can stay and finish the season, but we will see in the next days.
“For sure he is a good guy and only this. I would like him to finish the season with us but we are ready to go forward without him.”
Since making his Premier League debut in February last year, Caicedo has made 31 appearances for Brighton across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing three assists.