Following a £60 million bid from Arsenal, Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo publicly stated his desire to leave the club and pursue a “magnificent opportunity.”
The Premier League’s top team turned down a bid for Caicedo on Friday because Brighton insisted they were not looking to sell.
Chelsea expressed interest in the 21-year-old earlier this month, but their £55 million bid was quickly rejected.
Leandro Trossard has already left for Arsenal this month because Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi wants to keep his team together until the summer.
He acknowledged Tony Bloom, the owner of Brighton, for bringing him to England in 2021 and claimed he had always sacrificed everything for the Seagulls.
Given his meteoric rise over the previous 18 months, Caicedo’s transfer from Independiente del Valle cost £4.5 million, which is a complete steal.
He added that his dream is to become one of the most-decorated players in the history of Ecuadorian football after coming from a ‘poor upbringing’ in Santa Domingo. Caicedo did not mention the club he wishes to join in the statement.
It reads: “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.”
Caicedo’s post came shortly after Arsenal’s FA Cup elimination at the hands of Manchester City. Nathan Ake’s strike in the second half was enough to secure victory for City and passage to the fifth round.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was asked about Caicedo’s Instagram post in his post-match press conference. He said: “You know that I’m not going to comment on any players until anything is done and I’ll continue like that, sorry.”
When asked if he wanted to add to his squad before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, the Spaniard replied: “We’ve been pretty active.
“We have some necessities and if something else is available the club is willing to try to do it when it’s reasonable and hopefully it’s a player that can improve our squad.”
As well as Trossard, Arsenal have also signed Jakub Kiwior from Spezia. They return to Premier League action against Everton on February 4.
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