Arsenal reporter for football.london Kaya Kaynak says that the Gunners are ‘still hopeful’ of signing Moises Caicedo, if Brighton can bring in a replacement.

THE LOWDOWN: SECOND BID MADE

It has been reported by The Daily Mail that Mikel Arteta’s team have submitted a ‘new offer’ for Caicedo worth £70m, which includes £60m up front plus £10m in add-ons.

Brighton are set to reject it as they want £80m to sell him this month, with the player ‘staying away’ from training and begging the Seagulls in a message on Instagram to let him leave.

Caicedo has also not ruled out putting in a formal transfer request, and any pursuit from the North Londoners will not affect their desire to sign West Ham United and England international star Declan Rice in the summer.

THE LATEST: IF BRIGHTON SIGN A REPLACEMENT…

Taking to Twitter, Kaynak says that Arsenal are ‘still hopeful’ of signing Caicedo, and believe that Brighton ‘may sell’ if they bring in a replacement midfielder before deadline day:

“#AFC still hopeful that Brighton may sell Caicedo if they bring in a midfielder before deadline day. Club adamant they’re not behind soc med posts though. Deal for CM does not affect move for Declan Rice in the summer. Arsenal want both!”

Writing in his corresponding article for football.london, the reporter adds that the Gunners hierarchy believe that if the Seagulls can sign a replacement, then ‘negotiations could be back on’, with them reportedly making a mid for RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara.

THE VERDICT: STATEMENT SIGNING

If Arsenal are able to get Caicedo through the doors at the Emirates Stadium, then it would certainly be a statement signing in terms of their title credentials.

Hailed as a ‘terrific athlete‘ by South American football expert Tim Vickery, the Ecuador international has averaged more tackles per game (2.9) in the Premier League than ant of his team-mates so far this term, while he also ranks highly for interceptions, key passes, long and through balls (WhoScored).

He has been so key to a Brighton side sitting in the European qualifying spots in the division, above two of the traditional ‘big six’ in Liverpool and Chelsea.

If the Gunners were to go as high as £80m for Caicedo, it would be their club-record signing after paying a reported £72m for Nicolas Pepe, and after already splashing the cash on Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior, adding the 21-year-old would show a real statement of intent.

source: https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/