Moises Caicedo transfer latest as Arsenal and Chelsea bids rejected and midfielder boycotts training

Arsenal are not giving up in their bid to land Moises Caicedo this month.

The Gunners are keen to strengthen their midfield before the end of the window, but they are running out of time, with the transfer deadline fast-approaching. Arsenal have until the end of Tuesday night to get deals over the line, and the Caicedo deal has proven a tough one to crack so far, while Chelsea are also in the race. Though, updates are coming thick and fast as the situation continues to unfold.

With that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest on the situation, including a bombshell from the midfielder himself.

Arsenal and Chelsea bids

Arsenal’s latest bid for Caicedo was as high as £60million, but Brighton swiftly rejected the offer, keen to keep hold of their star midfielder.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea also made a bid, but theirs was a little lower, at £55million, and that was rejected too, of course. Arsenal must now decide whether they want to up the offer, but they are already on a high spending bill given what they spent in the summer.

Fortunately for them, Caicedo is trying to force a deal from the inside.

Caicedo’s social media plea

After Brighton rejected the two offers from Arsenal and Chelsea, Caicedo took to social media to express his desire to leave the club.

His posts 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. 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.”

Training absence

After his social media plea fell on deaf ears, Caicedo took matters into his own hands by missing Brighton training on Saturday.

As detailed by The Athletic, the Ecuadorian plans to stay away from Brighton training as he looks to force through a transfer to Arsenal. As a result, the midfielder is expected to miss Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Liverpool. This one could get ugly, but Caicedo’s attempts to force through a deal clearly aid Arsenal, and potentially Chelsea too as the London clubs vie to strike a deal.