Premier League club finally ready to sell player to Arsenal as they make £75m demand for the midfielder – Not Declan Rice
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Arsenal Football Club is reportedly preparing to break their transfer record this summer with a staggering £75 million deal. However, what makes this potential signing even more intriguing is that it could happen before securing their priority target, Declan Rice.
Nicolas Pepe currently holds the title of Arsenal’s most expensive signing, having joined the club in the summer of 2019 for a fee of £72 million from Lille.
Since then, the Gunners have been cautious in their approach to the transfer market. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, has not come close to breaking that record, with his most expensive acquisition being Ben White for £50 million. However, it appears that the tide may be turning.
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal has already reached an agreement on personal terms with Moises Caicedo, who currently plays for Brighton & Hove Albion. It is worth noting that Arteta recently signed Ben White from the same club. Brighton is confident that a deal can be struck for a fee of £75 million for the talented Ecuadorian midfielder.
In the past, Arsenal has been known for their reluctance to meet the asking prices set by selling clubs. They have missed out on several high-profile targets, including Mykhaylo Mudryk, Raphinha, and Houssem Aouar, due to their unwillingness to pay the reported astronomical fees. Interestingly, Arsenal had pursued Caicedo in the January transfer window but were unwilling to meet Brighton’s demands for a midseason move.
While Arsenal’s priority target remains Declan Rice, recent reports from The Times suggest that the club is keen on securing both Rice and Caicedo. However, compared to the pursuit of Rice, the signing of Caicedo appears to be a more straightforward endeavor.
It is believed that Caicedo agreed to personal terms with Arsenal as early as January. The Gunners face competition from Chelsea and Liverpool for the 21-year-old’s signature. Nevertheless, Arsenal is currently the only club among the three that can offer Champions League football, which could sway Caicedo’s decision.
Brighton seems to have resigned themselves to the possibility of losing both Caicedo and his teammate, Alexis Mac Allister. On the other hand, West Ham United, Rice’s current club, appears more reluctant to accept that their star midfielder might leave.
Roberto De Zerbi, the manager of Brighton & Hove Albion, has acknowledged the potential departures of both Caicedo and Mac Allister, stating that players of their caliber deserve to compete at a higher level and for more prestigious clubs.
Transfermarkt values Caicedo at €55 million, highlighting his potential and the faith that Arsenal has placed in his abilities.
If Arsenal can secure both Caicedo and Rice, it would undoubtedly strengthen their squad significantly. While Rice remains the priority, Caicedo’s potential arrival would be a significant boost, especially considering his age and the prospect of Champions League football.
Only time will tell whether Arsenal can complete these ambitious transfer deals. However, the willingness to break their transfer record demonstrates a newfound determination to invest in top talent and propel the club forward.