Fabrizio Romano insists you can’t rule out something surprising from Arsenal late on in the January transfer window amid links with Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Arsenal are considering a £75m move for Brighton's Moises Caicedo and could once again go head-to-head with Chelsea in the transfer market 👀📰 pic.twitter.com/EpfdlyjMgK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 26, 2023
Writing exclusively for the Daily Briefing, his exclusive CaughtOffside column, Romano made it clear that Arsenal are one of the teams being kept informed on Caicedo’s situation at Brighton.
He noted that the Gunners made a serious effort to sign Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa on deadline day in the summer, with that interest coming pretty much out of nowhere, so he wouldn’t rule out the north London giants trying something similar again.
Arsenal have had a decent transfer window so far, bringing in Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Jakub Kiwior from Spezia, but another body in midfield wouldn’t go amiss as Mikel Arteta lacks depth behind Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
Arsenal want to strengthen their midfield this month amid worries over a knee injury suffered by Mohamed Elneny. Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, admitted on Wednesday that there are “some concerns” over Elneny, who is still being assessed.
“If there’s anything else available that can make us better we’ll look at it,” Mikel Arteta told reporters.
“Well, we need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can but obviously, in this market, it’s very complicated to do that.”
Caicedo has been outstanding in his time in the Premier League and could be ideal to give AFC more quality options in that area of the pitch.
Moises Caicedo is sooooo good. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/RoktkRpk0b
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 1, 2022
“I wouldn’t exclude anything happening in the final days, after last summer they tried on Deadline Day for Douglas Luiz out of nothing,” Romano said.
“Let’s see for Caicedo, it’s important to underline that Brighton have no intention to sell unless they receive an important bid; Arsenal are informed on the player’s side
Chelsea have had two bids over £55million for Caicedo rejected by Brighton this month, and the player expects to remain at the Amex for the remainder of the season. “I am focused on Brighton,” he said. “I am here, I’m playing everyday. Things from outside don’t trouble me, nor does it take that focus away, because I’m focused only on here.
Brighton are thought to want a fee of more than £75 million for Caicedo, who in recent months has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young players.
Caicedo, an Ecuadorian international, would be an eye-wateringly expensive addition for Arsenal if they do decide to pursue a move for him in the coming days.
The league leaders have shown a willingness to invest in the squad this month, though, and were ready to sanction a deal worth up to around £85m including add-ons for Mykhailo Mudryk, before Chelsea made a more favourable offer to Shakhtar Donetsk.
