Arsenal hero Kevin Campbell has praised Mikel Arteta and Edu for targeting the transfer of Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion. The midfielder can be a ‘really good’ signing.
Campbell believes a new deep-lying option is the last signing Arsenal need to secure during January to strengthen their Premier League title hopes. Arteta has the Gunners sitting atop the table with a club-record 50 points after 19 games. They have also won 16 games so far.
But the Spaniard has a lack of quality alternatives should he lose Thomas Partey. Fears are now high in north London that the Ghanaian faces a spell on the sidelines, as well. The 29-year-old will have an MRI scan after suffering a rib injury at Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Brighton have rejected a first bid from Arsenal for the transfer of Moises Caicedo
Arsenal began negotiating with Brighton over a transfer for Caicedo on Friday before their trip to Manchester City. The Evening Standard reports that the Gunners submitted a £60m bid to sign the Ecuador midfielder. But the Seagulls have turned down their opening offer.
Arteta and sporting director Edu remain in talks with the Amex Stadium natives over a deal for the 21-year-old. Arsenal have moved to sign Caicedo from Brighton before the transfer deadline on Tuesday after the serious knee injury that Mohamed Elneny has also suffered.
Brighton do not want to sell Caicedo and are under no financial pressure to after Leandro Trossard’s £27m transfer to Arsenal. He has played 18 of the Seagulls’ 19 Premier League games so far this season. He only sat out against the Gunners following a fifth yellow card.
Kevin Campbell backs Moises Caicedo as a ‘really good’ signing for Mikel Arteta
Campbell believes Caicedo would be a great last-gasp transfer for his former side if Arsenal agree to terms with Brighton. The 28-cap ace, who scored once in three World Cup games, is under contract to 2025 after leaving Independiente del Valle for £4.5m in February 2021.
“Signing Moises Caicedo would be really good for Arsenal,” Campbell has told Sky Sports. “He’s a young player who is very talented and knows the Premier League. I feel it’s one of the last spots in this Arsenal squad that fans are worried about if Thomas Partey got injured.
“So, they’re trying to address that situation. It’s going to be a tough run-in with Manchester City for the title. But if they get the correct pieces in, they’ll give themselves a good chance. It was a clever initial bid but it’s difficult for Brighton to sell now.”
Campbell added: “For Arsenal to compete, they have to strengthen. That Thomas Partey position is key. Moises Caicedo is a good player who has proven himself for a couple of seasons now. Arsenal have to keep going.”
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