Moises Caicedo wants to ‘take up magnificent opportunity’ after Arsenal’s £60m bid for midfielder rejected by Brighton | Football News
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Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo has revealed on social media he wants
to leave the Premier League club for a « magnificent opportunity » elsewhere.
Brighton rejected what would have been a club-record £60m fee from the Gunners for the Ecuador international on Friday.
Chelsea have also expressed an interest in the 21-year-old, who Brighton bought for £4.5m from Independiente del Valle in Ecuador two years ago.
The south coast club have repeatedly insisted Caicedo is not for sale and their stance remains unchanged.
Caicedo said on Instagram he was « proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton » but did not specify which club he wanted to join.
Caicedo’s statement 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. »
Caicedo said on Brighton’s official website earlier this week that he was focused solely on his current club.
Leandro Trossard has already swapped Brighton for Arsenal in the current window in a deal worth a £27m, but Brighton are determined to keep hold of Caicedo.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta refused to comment on the midfielder when asked about him after Friday night’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
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Arteta said: « You know that I’m not going to comment on any players until anything is done and I will continue like that, sorry.
« As I said before we’ve been pretty active in the market. We have some necessities and if something is available the club is willing to try to do it, when it’s reasonable and hopefully it’s a player who can improve our squad. »
