Moises Caicedo to Arsenal transfer could hand Chelsea their £70 million man
Both Chelsea and Arsenal are showing interest in signing Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo during the January transfer window. If Arsenal is successful in acquiring Caicedo by outbidding Chelsea and convincing Brighton to sell, Chelsea may have an easier time signing Declan Rice in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Chelsea is in search of a new midfielder during the January transfer window. They have been linked to Moises Caicedo from Brighton, Enzo Fernandez and Amadou Onana.
The signing of Fernandez would require Chelsea to pay his release clause of €120 million. Onana has declined the offer and wishes to stay at Everton and help them in their fight to stay in the league. Chelsea made an initial bid of £55 million for Caicedo, but Brighton declined as they are not willing to sell the player.
Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo is currently attracting interest from multiple top clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Chelsea made an initial bid of £55 million but the offer was rejected by the club.
Similarly, Arsenal also made an offer of £60 million, but it was also turned down by Brighton. The Seagulls are reportedly willing to sell the Ecuadorian midfielder, but only for a minimum price of £75 million and they want to keep him until the summer.
The Ecuadorian changed agents at the beginning of the week, and as things stand, they will push for a transfer before the end of the January transfer window. Caicedo has posted a message on social media indicating that he would consider a move.
Chelsea and Arsenal could compete against one another to sign the 21-year-old. In the event that Caicedo joins Arsenal and CFC is unable to sign him, there may be a silver lining for the Blues. Arsenal, like Chelsea, has been a longtime admirer of Rice of West Ham United.
Liverpool and Real Madrid are also mentioned in the Rice conversation, but Arsenal and Chelsea have always been the most connected clubs. It is virtually certain that the Englishman will not leave the London Stadium in January, meaning that any transfer will occur in the summer.
If Arsenal proceed with the signing of Caicedo, Chelsea may have an easier path and less competition in the race to sign Rice. CFC will have a good chance of signing Rice this summer, as Arsenal may no longer be interested in the 24-year-old. Rice is familiar with Chelsea from his academy days.
Second, pursuing a high-priced transfer for Rice in the summer will also give Chelsea some flexibility in the FFP, as the new season will mark the beginning of a new cycle. The Blues have already spent £500 million over the course of two transfer windows while avoiding any FFP issues.
Transfermarkt values Rice at £70 million, but any deal involving him is likely to exceed £70 million given the interest he has generated.
Moises Caicedo to Arsenal transfer could hand Chelsea their £70 million man
