Arsenal prepare third and final bid for Midfield powerhouse as club rejects second bid

Brighton have rejected Arsenal’s second bid for Moises Caicedo, prompting the Gunners to consider a club-record bid for the midfielder.

Despite leading Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table, Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen his squad before the January transfer window closes.

Caicedo, an Ecuador international, has emerged as a late target for the Premier League leaders, who had an opening offer of £60 million rejected last week.

On Sunday, Arsenal approached Brighton with a new and improved £70 million offer, which was ‘immediately rejected,’ according to Sky Sports.

Arsenal are considering making a club-record bid for Caicedo, who handed in a transfer request earlier this week, with the January transfer window set to close on Tuesday night.

With Brighton playing hardball, Arsenal will need to pay more than the £72 million they paid for club record signing Nicolas Pepe if they are to entice Caicedo to move to the Emirates.

Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Caicedo since former Brighton manager Graham Potter took over as manager at Stamford Bridge in place of Thomas Tuchel.

The Blues are still monitoring the situation, but owner Todd Boehly, who has spent over £400 million on new signings since taking over the club, appears to be prioritising a move for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

Over the last two seasons, Caicedo has emerged as one of Brighton’s most important players, attracting interest from a number of top clubs.

The 21-year-old has stated that he wishes to be sold by Brighton in order to pursue a’magnificent opportunity’ to join a bigger club.

If he joins Arsenal, he will join a team that is five points clear at the top of the Premier League, having collected 50 points from a possible 57 this season.

While the appeal of joining Arsenal or Chelsea is obvious, Caicedo has been labelled ‘disrespectful’ for the manner in which he requested to leave Brighton.

‘You need to do what Brighton did and ban him from the training ground,’ former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara told Sky Sports. I think it’s really bad of him. He was given bad advice.

‘As a football player, Arsenal are rumoured to be interested in him; it’s a big-money move and the chance to play for a huge football club.

‘But it’s so disrespectful to Brighton; he’s not in League One or the Championship.

‘He’s playing for Brighton, who, by the way, are flying high and playing fantastic football in front of adoring fans. They’ve given him the chance.

‘So for him to come out and say he wants to leave, that’s a big deal. The deal isn’t even done, and it’s probably not even close. For him to say that, I think it’s poor as a player and unprofessional.’