ARSENAL will try to sign Moises Caicedo AND Declan Rice in the summer transfer window, according to reports.
The Gunners brought in Italian midfielder Jorginho, 31, for £12million from Chelsea on deadline day.
His arrival came after Arsenal had become frustrated in their pursuit of Brighton man Caicedo, with bids of £60m and £70m turned down by the Seagulls.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men were not willing to sell the Ecuadorian, 21, for any price.
However, it has now been revealed that Jorginho was not an alternative to Caicedo.
Speaking on Sky Sports, reporter Dharmesh Sheth said: “This [the Jorginho transfer] wasn’t an alternative to Moises Caicedo because Arsenal were ready – at any time – to do a deal for Moises Caicedo on deadline day if in the unlikely circumstance that Brighton decided to change their stance because he has been not for sale throughout this transfer window.”
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He then went on to add: “He [Caicedo] was not going to go for any price.
“Some Arsenal fans are saying ‘They went to £60m, they went to £70m, why didn’t they go higher to test Brighton’s resolve?’
“I’m told whatever Arsenal, or for that matter Chelsea, had bid, Brighton were not going to sell Moises Caicedo in this transfer window.”
Arsenal will now attempt to continue their Premier League title charge with Jorginho propping up the regular midfield duo of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
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But come the summer, they will almost certainly return to the market to strengthen in the middle of the park.
And Sheth has confirmed both Caicedo and West Ham captain Rice are the names on their shortlist.
He said: “This will then fast-forward into the summer. If he [Caicedo] doesn’t sign a new contract, we’re going to have another saga again.
“Caicedo, Rice, Arsenal are in for both of those we think in the summer.”
Hammers skipper Rice has been valued at £80m and received interest from Chelsea and Man Utd as well as the Gunners.
During the World Cup, he hinted at a potential departure from West Ham.
When asked if he is hungry to win trophies at club level, Rice said: “Yeah, 100 per cent. For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that.
“I’ve been consistently playing well for my club. I want to win trophies for my club.
“You only get one career and you want to look back at what you’ve won and play in the biggest games. I am really ambitious and I want that.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
