Arsenal are reportedly set to make a third bid for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo in what would be a club record £75million deal.
The Gunners have already failed with two offers for the Ecuadorian midfielder, but now sit just £5m from the Seagulls’ £80m valuation.
If accepted, that would be a club record transfer for Arsenal, eclipsing the £72m they paid Lille for Nicolas Pepe in 2019.
Arsenal’s initial attempts to snare the World Cup star became increasingly obvious when Caicedo posted on his social media accounts asking to leave the Amex Stadium.
However, Brighton owner Tony Bloom has so far stood firm, despite what would be a record departure after just 36 Premier League appearances for Caicedo.
Brighton sold Marc Cucurella to Chelsea in the summer for £62m, and already in January they have seen Leandro Trossard make the trip to Arsenal in a deal rising to £27m.
And The Sun reports that they would allow Caicedo to depart before the transfer window closes on Tuesday night, if their £80m valuation is met.
Speaking about the previous bids worth £60m and £70m, talkSPORT’s football correspondent Alex Crook said: “I think Brighton were surprised Arsenal even bothered to bid again after telling them Caicedo is not for sale.
“But that second bid did go in and I was told it was rejected in seconds.”
Caicedo, 21, was left out of Brighton’s squad that faced Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday, with the club giving him time away until the window closes.
Much like when Trossard became a distraction and was taken out of the team, Brighton beat the Merseyside giants yet again, with a team that’s been ravaged by many of the Premier League’s big guns.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are on course for their first league title since 2004.
Caicedo would offer plenty of competition in a central midfield that includes Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
And with Arsenal still in the Europa League, boss Mikel Arteta knows he must add to his squad if he wishes to end the season with silverware.
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