ARSENAL are set to launch a third bid for Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
The Gunners have already seen two bids turned down by the Seagulls for the midfielder.
Brighton have issued a hands off warning, despite the Ecuadorian making it clear that he wants to leave the club.
Arsenal’s new bid for the player is in the region of £70million with £5m worth of add-ons.
This would represent aclub record transfer for Arsenal, eclipsing the £72m spent on flop Nicolas Pepe.
Brighton could be open to selling before the end of the transfer window but are holding out for £80m.
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Mikel Arteta sees the 21-year-old international as a player that can provide quality competition to Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
The player has been a huge part of Brighton’s impressive campaign playing in the heart of the midfield.
His performances have also attracted interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.
So far this season, he has played 18 times in the Premier League, scoring one goal and laying on one assist.
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Caicedo also impressed at the World Cup in Qatar and even netted a goal in his three appearances.
After Brighton’s FA Cup win over Liverpool on Sunday, manager Roberto De Zerbi issued a plea to convince him to stay.
He told ITV: “Moises is a good guy.
“We will see tomorrow and the next days what happens.
“We hope he stays with us for the rest of the season, but this is a question for the club and Moises.
“Moises is a good guy. In life you can make mistakes. We will see the best solution for the club, for him and for us.”
The player is currently staying away from the club until the end of the transfer window, as per Brighton’s orders.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
