Moises Caicedo now seems destined to join Chelsea instead of Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have pulled out of the race to sign Moises Caicedo, paving the way for the Brighton midfielder to join Chelsea instead.
The Gunners attempted to sign the Ecuador international in January and saw a club record bid rejected after the 21-year-old made clear his desire to quit the south coast club.
After his transfer request was denied, Caicedo was quickly reintegrated by manager Roberto De Zerbi but struck an agreement that he would be allowed to leave in the summer should Brighton receive a suitable offer.
According to Teradeportes in his native Ecuador, Caicedo had been keen on a move to the Emirates and personal terms had already been agreed.
However, with Brighton demanding in excess of £80million for a player with only 18 months of Premier League experience under his belt, the same publication report that Arsenal were unwilling to enter into a bidding war with Chelsea.
Arsenal are ready to spend a major part of their transfer budget on Declan Rice (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal are set to divert a sizable portion of their transfer budget in the direction of West Ham in an effort to seal a deal for their captain Declan Rice and have already seen an opening offer rejected.
Chelsea, too, have seen an opening offer of £60m for Caicedo dismissed out of hand by Brighton but are expected to return with a second offer closer to the asking price.
Both London clubs are intent on rebuilding their midfields this summer amid significant upheaval.
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Arsenal are set to allow the long-serving Granit Xhaka to join Bayer Leverkusen, while doubts remain over the long-term futures of Thomas Partey, said to be interesting several clubs in Italy, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Jorginho.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have granted Mateo Kovavic permission to join Manchester City for £40million, while N’Golo Kante’s move to Il Ittihad is expected to be confirmed imminently.
The Blues are also ready to let academy graduates Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek depart should they receive suitable offers.
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The Gunners made a club record bid for the Seagulls’ midfielder in January.