(Football news) Moises Caicedo has told Brighton & Hove Albion board and fans that he wants to leave the club after Arsenal had a massive £60 million offer for the midfielder rejected. Arsenal have already bolstered their squad with the signings of Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior this month. According to Sources, Brighton are not willing to let Caicedo join the Gunners in January despite the player desperately wanting to move to the Emirates Stadium.

The Premier League leaders had scouted him intensively earlier and were interested in signing Caicedo even before he joined Brighton in 2021. Sources have also added that Arsenal are still keen on signing West Ham United captain Declan Rice even if they can get the Caicedo deal over the line. Arsenal desperately need midfield reinforcements this month, depending on the results of an MRI scan that Thomas Partey will undergo following an injury he suffered on the ribs that forced the Ghana international to be taken off during their FA Cup defeat to Man City.

Brighton have already seen multiple players leave the club in high-value transfers in recent seasons. The Likes of Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma left the club to join Chelsea and Tottenham respectively in the summer, while Ben White also departed for Arsenal in 2021. This season already Leandro Trossard left the club to join Arsenal. There is only little that the Brighton board can do as they are already on the lookout for replacement, they have targeted Shakhtar midfielder Mykola Matvienko. 

The Seagulls have bid £20m for the Ukrainian international but Shakhtar want somewhere around £30m for the holding midfielder. It will be interesting what transpires in the coming weeks at Brighton. Seagulls are having an unbelievable season and are sixth in the Premier League only five points off fifth-placed Tottenham with two games in hand.

At a news conference on Friday, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi said: “Moises is a good guy, he’s focused only on us. He’s relaxed. I hope he stays with us until at least the end of the season. I spoke with Moises and told him it’s difficult to change during the season. I spoke to him as a father, not a coach. The interest in our players is a good thing. We are working in a good way, the right way.”

Despite Brighton’s stance, Arsenal are expected to return imminently with an improved offer, sources said. “I am grateful to [Brighton owner] Mr. 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 said on social media on Friday. 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.”

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