Arsenal may have ruined their hopes of a summer deal for Moises Caicedo having dented their relationship with Brighton and Hove Albion.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that Arsenal’s relationship with Brighton has now soured over the chase of Caicedo.
Arsenal were desperate to sign a new midfielder before the transfer deadline after Mohamed Elneny’s injury.
Brighton star Caicedo – hailed as ‘incredible’ by teammate Adam Webster – became a top target and a £60million offer was rejected on Friday.
It’s claimed that Arsenal were clearly told to back off on Saturday, but the Gunners still made a new bid worth £65million plus £5million in add-ons on Sunday.
Brighton not only regarded that bid as irrelevant, but have seemingly lost respect for Arsenal.
The Gunners were told not to bid and did it anyway, so the Seagulls are now far from impressed with Edu and co.
Arsenal seemingly knew Brighton relationship was at risk over Moises Caicedo
This tallies up with reports from the Daily Mail earlier this week.
They reported that Arsenal were reluctant to launch a third bid for Caicedo because they thought their relationship with Brighton would be ruined.
The two clubs have been on good terms in recent times, starting with the 2021 deal for Ben White.
Arsenal were then able to pull off a deal for Seagulls winger Leandro Trossard this month as the relationship remained strong.
Arsenal didn’t make that third bid for Caicedo but it looks like the damage may have already been done.
If the Gunners come back in for Caicedo over the summer, the Seagulls may be a little more reluctant than usual to do a deal.
That’s a potential problem for Arsenal, but Edu and co will hope that they can smooth things over and get Caicedo on board.
Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth suggests that Arsenal are likely to try again for Caicedo at the end of the season, so they may need to do some grovelling first.
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