Brighton and Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo is reportedly ‘worried’ that his chances of securing a ‘dream’ move to Arsenal are now over.
Caicedo was targeted by both Chelsea and Arsenal during the January transfer window. Chelsea had a £55m bid rejected before the Gunners pursued him towards the end of the month.
The midfielder was keen to join Arsenal and he even took to Instagram to plead with Brighton to let him go.
“I am grateful to Mr. [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,” Caicedo wrote on Instagram.
“I always play football with a smile and with heart.
“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.”
Arsenal ended up having two bids turned down, with their final offer being £10m below Brighton’s reported £80m asking price.
Football Insider are now reporting that Caicedo is ‘worried a move in the summer is unlikely after a January move to Arsenal fell through’. There is a feeling that a transfer later this year ‘will be more difficult’.
There are said to be ‘whispers’ that Caicedo will ‘drop down the agenda’ given the increased ‘volume of top-rated midfield players that will be available in the summer window’.
Arsenal are also being heavily linked with West Ham’s Declan Rice, who is expected to leave the club in the summer for a huge fee.
Speaking earlier this month, Brighton captain Lewis Dunk insisted that they will “stick with” Caicedo.
“Obviously it was a difficult situation for him and these things happen in football. It’s not the first and won’t be the last time players at a football club having this going on over their head,” Dunk said.
“He’s a young boy and we stick with him. He’s a great lad and obviously a fantastic player. Who knows how long we’ll have him for and we’re grateful to have him for at least the rest of the season and hopefully for longer.
“I think it’s a massive statement from the club, standing their ground. Obviously we’ve sold players over the years to bigger clubs but I think it’s a great statement to show that we want to keep him and I think rightly so.”
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