BRIGHTON have this morning told Arsenal that Moises Caicedo is categorically not for sale this month, while also telling the player to stay away from training until the window is closed.
The Seagulls rejected Arsenal’s £60million offer on Friday and, in further talks this morning, have told the Gunners their star man is going nowhere.
The midfielder, 21, is valued at upwards of £80million and while another bid is expected from north London, owner Tony Bloom is set to reject further offers having already knocked back Chelsea earlier in January.
The Seagulls rejected a £60million offer from Arsenal on Friday morning, prompting Caicedo, 21, to make clear his desire to leave the club on social media that night.
Brighton do not want to lose their star man as they push to qualify for Europe for the first time in their history this season.
Caicedo’s post, crafted by his new agents and in which his hometown was miss-spelt, read: “I am grateful to Mr. Bloom and Brighton for giving me the chance to come to the Premier League and I feel I have always done my best for them. I always play football with a smile and with heart.
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“I am the youngest of 10 siblings from a poor upbringing in Santa Domingo in Ecuador.
“My dream always to be the most decorated player in the history of Ecuador.
“I am proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton which would allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful.
“The fans have taken me into their hearts and they will always be in my heart so I hope they can understand why I want to take up this magnificent opportunity.”
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Brighton responded by asking their star man to stay away from training until the close of the window on February 1, sitting out Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Liverpool.
The hope is that a few days off will see the midfielder return in the right mindset for the second half of the campaign having missed out on a dream move.
The Seagulls, who are sixth in the Premier League, are reluctant to sell their best player when there is a chance of European qualification is a realistic ambition this season.
Furthermore, unlike with the sale of Yves Bissouma or Marc Cucurella in the summer, the timing of Arsenal’s approach leaves next to no time to find a replacement.
Arsenal could still yet return with a bigger offer to test Brighton’s resolve, but the Seagulls have a track record of not being bullied into a deal that does not suit their terms.
The move came just hours after manager Roberto De Zerbi had praised Caicedo for his focus and attitude and said he had no concerns over playing the Ecuador international against Liverpool in the Cup tomorrow.
Brighton want Caicedo to use the time off to refocus ahead of what could be an historic end to the season, with De Zerbi’s side currently sixth in the table.
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He said: “The opportunity if you are a good person and good player is there now but it will also be there now, in the summer and next winter. Always.
“I spoke with him only one time and his decision is with Tony Bloom and the club. I can say my advice, my vision and my idea but after this I stay in my place.
“I hope he can stay with us until the end of the season, because my opinion is that that is the best solution for both him and us.
“It’s always difficult to change in the season because you can find some problems. For our way, it’s important for him to stay for another four months.”
The Gunners are in the market for a midfielder after Mohamed Elneny suffered a long term knee injury, leaving Mikel Arteta short of cover.
Thomas Partey was forced off with a knock during Friday’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, but initial assessments have shown it is not a serious injury and the club are hopeful the midfielder will be fit for the trip to Arsenal next weekend.
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Should Caicedo remain on the south coast, Arteta may be forced to turn to a move for Everton’s Amadou Onana or Martin Zubimendi, the Real Sociedad midfielder.
Despite the good news around Partey, the Gunners only have Albert Sambi Lokonga as cover for their first choice midfielders, with the Belgian yet to prove he is good enough for the club.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
