Arsenal target Moises Caicedo hands in transfer request – and could force Gunners move before Tuesday: report

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Arsenal have been in talks with Brighton over Moises Caicedo – now the player is apparently taking matters into his own hands

Arsenal target Moises Caicedo of Brighton during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on August 07, 2022 in Manchester, England.
(Image credit: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Arsenal target Moises Caicedo is handing in a transfer request to try and push through his move to north London in the coming days.

That's according to one report that says the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder wants to go the table-toppers and is taking matters into his own hands. This morning, The Athletic's David Ornstein revealed that the Seagulls had turned down a £60 million move for the Ecuadorian. 

But the saga is not over with Arsenal expected to make another move before Tuesday's deadline, since Mikel Arteta needs another midfielder to compete for the Premier League title. 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22, 2023 in London, England.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen on bringing a second Brighton star to the Emirates Stadium following their capture of Leandro Trossard from the Amex earlier this month (Image credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

According to TeamTalk, Caicedo is preparing to hand in a transfer request to force the issue. Chelsea are believed to still be in the race for the 21-year-old, while Liverpool also hold an interest.

Brighton have insisted the player is not for sale, however. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that the player has told Brighton he’d “love to take the opportunity”.

Arsenal's hand has been forced in recent weeks, just as it was in the dying embers of the summer window. The Gunners have lost Mohamed Elneny to injury again, leaving them very short in midfield. 

Now that the Gunners are competing for the title, Thomas Partey has no back-up in midfield, besides Albert Sambi Lokonga. The Belgian isn't a natural lone No.6, however, and has very little experience as the deepest-lying midfielder in Arteta's 4-3-3.

Arsenal star Albert Sambi Lokonga celebrates after scoring their side's fourth goal during the Florida Cup match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Camping World Stadium on July 23, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.

Arsenal star Albert Sambi Lokonga is now the only back-up to Thomas Partey in Arsenal's midfield (Image credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

It remains more likely, however, that Arsenal will wait until the summer to make a big bid for a defensive midfielder – and that Caicedo is second-choice behind Rice for the role. Rumours of other midfielders joining before deadline day, however, are scant. 

Caicedo is valued at €38m by Transfermarkt. 

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal are considering re-signing Yunus Musah, while Cody Gakpo was an option, too – Joao Felix emerged as a potential superstar signing at the Emirates Stadium, too.

Mikel Arteta has admitted the Gunners are looking for new signings, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic having been linked. 

Gabriel Martinelli's contract situation is being watched by Barcelona, meanwhile.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.