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Arsenal eye swoop for Moises Caicedo as Rice alternative

By on June 23, 2023

Moises Caicedo

Arsenal are reportedly planning to make a move for Brighton and Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo if they fail to lure Declan Rice to the Emirates Stadium this summer, as per the transfer expert David Ornstein.

It is an open secret that the Gunners have prioritised strengthening their engine room in this transfer window and have identified Rice as the primary target.

They have opened formal talks with West Ham United to sign the midfielder and have already submitted two official proposals worth up to £90m. However, the Hammers have rejected both offers and are demanding a £100m fee to let their star man leave this summer.

It has been reported that Arsenal are set to submit an improved third bid over the coming days, however, Manchester City have now also firmly joined the race to sign the 24-year-old and they are expected to make an official bid in the coming times. So, doubt started to emerge whether Arsenal will be able to beat the Citizens in this race and purchase their key target this summer.

However, it has been suggested that Rice is keen on joining the North London club so, Arsenal are believed to be in front of the queue ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side in this race.

Speaking on the Five YouTube channel, Ornstein has reported that Arsenal are desperate to sign Rice and they don’t want to think about alternative options. However, in-case they miss out on signing the West Ham star then they could make a move for Caicedo.

Caicedo to Arsenal

The journalist further claims that along with the Ecuadorian, Arsenal have been showing an interest in Romeo Lavia as well. But, they aren’t expected to make a move for him at the moment – though things could change over the coming days.

Ornstein said:

“If Declan Rice doesn’t come off, which Arsenal may not be focusing on at this point because they’re focused so heavily on him, but if the worst case scenario happens they have a recruitment team who may look at Caicedo or others, we have seen Romeo Lavia linked quite heavily, I’m not sure of that one developing at this moment in time, but that could change in seconds or minutes.”

Arsenal hold a long-term interest in Caicedo as they formalised their interest in signing him last January and made two official bids worth up to £70m. However, Brighton were reluctant to let their star man leave in mid-season so they rejected both offers and managed to keep hold of their star man.

However, it has been suggested that the 21-year-old is expected to leave this summer and Arsenal were reportedly keen on purchasing him. But, it has been reported that Chelsea are now leading the race to sign Ecuadorian so it looked like the Gunners cooled down their interest in the South American.

However, it seems they remain keen on signing him, but acquiring Caicedo’s services won’t be straightforward for Arsenal as Brighton reportedly want £80m to let their star man leave this summer.

It is going to be interesting to see whether Arsenal eventually manage to secure Rice’s signature this summer or shift focus on alternative targets such as Caicedo.

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