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Arsenal are reportedly not closing the chapter on Moises Caicedo, who they failed to bring to the club in the just concluded January transfer window.
THE LOWDOWN: FAILED JANUARY MOVE
The Gunners had the 21-year-old earmarked as their main transfer target to reinforce their midfield in the January window but were met with resistance from Brighton and Hove Albion. The Seagulls had placed a £90 million price tag on the young Ecuadorian and Arsenal’s two bids of £60 million and £70 million were not going to change their minds.
They were also against the idea of moving Caicedo on in January thanks to the club considering him a very important asset for their goals this season, which is a top-six finish and a spot in European competition next season.
The midfielder has emerged as one of the best central midfield prospects in the Premier League and Arsenal are not the only club to hold an interest. They now live to fight another window and it is likely that Caicedo would go for higher than his current valuation.
In response, Arsenal forked out £10 million for 31-year-old Jorginho to Chelsea, who will also get £2 million in add-ons to take the total transfer fee to £12 million. The signing made sure that their midfield situation is all but dealt with for the rest of the season. However, it is understood that they are not letting Caicedo out of their sights and may try again in the summer.
THE LATEST: ANOTHER PURSUIT IN THE SUMMER?
According to transfer insider Rudi Galletti, Arsenal are looking at moving on Albert Sambi Lokonga in the summer and will love to bring in Caicedo as his replacement.
This means that Sambi Lokonga’s performance on loan with Crystal Palace, where he will spend the rest of the season following a January transfer, will be key to their efforts to bring in the Ecuadorian from Brighton.
Should Sambi Lokonga perform well, Arsenal may give him one more chance at the Emirates or demand a good price for him from suitors in the summer.
If the latter turns out to be the case, Arsenal will use the proceeds of the sale to make a push for Caicedo.
THE VERDICT: MIDFIELD PURCHASE REMAINS A PRIORITY
The Gunners need another good central midfielder regardless, so it may turn out that they will move for Caicedo regardless. However, with Chelsea also interested in the midfielder, they could face an uphill transfer battle with their London rivals for the 21-year-old.
