Arsenal could be joined by Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool in the race to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to the Daily Telegraph‘s Sam Dean.
The journalist claims the Seagulls are likely to hold out for “significantly more” than £70m due to the interest being shown in the 21-year-old:
Brighton will demand significantly more than £70m for Moises Caicedo this summer. Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have all shown interest — and Liverpool could yet become involved, depending on the eventual cost.https://t.co/OUDC7gfPNw
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) June 6, 2023
Gunners supporters on Twitter are very much split on whether Caicedo is a realistic target for Mikel Arteta’s side this summer:
Edu please sign him. I beg
— Mo🌴 (@afcmm18) June 5, 2023
Not happening
— venkatesh (@venkate04577878) June 5, 2023
80 million max plus a salary to match Chelsea or walk away. That money can be spent on other midfielder .
— Alex Lynch (@arsenal_82) June 5, 2023
Knowing Arsenal if Chelsea are in, we back out. Plus I don’t think Arsenal still interested.
— Unicorn Studios 📸 (@unicornxstudios) June 5, 2023
It would be embarrassing on our part not win over Caeicedo and Rice with Champions League football. It is the first time we have an advantage over Chelsea
— Bwije Paul BK🇺🇬 (@karengyero) June 5, 2023
If Arteta wants him. KSE needs to push the boat out to get him. Chelsea blinked in the Ugarte deal, so they are seemingly no longer willing to pay over market value. Match their offer, and we will get him
— Risteárd Mag Ualghairg (@RichieMac_79) June 5, 2023
We can’t compete a player with Chelsea if we want value for money
— krispus Saddam (@Chrisp1Chrispus) June 5, 2023
Caicedo is not a priority target for Arsenal
While the Gunners are believed to be still interested in the Ecuadorian international, the club are currently focused on snapping up West Ham captain Declan Rice.
The 24-year-old could cost in excess of £100m so finding another £70m+ to sign Caicedo does seem pretty unrealistic.
There is a chance that Caicedo will hold out for a move to the Emirates
The lure of Champions League football could help Arsenal in negotiations. Chelsea don’t have Europe at all next season, while Liverpool are playing in the same competition as Brighton.
Manchester United could, of course, provide Caicedo with the same chance of competing in Europe’s premier competition but their number-one priority at the moment seems to be Mason Mount
For that reason, you can’t rule out a switch to the Emirates, although you do get the feeling that any transfer may have to wait until later in the summer
