Brighton & Hove Albion have rejected a second bid from Arsenal for Moises Caicedo according to reports.
Arsenal, like Chelesa, had their first offer for the Ecuadorian midfielder, worth around £60m, rejected late last week, after which point Caicedo made public his desire to leave the club this month.
Brighton reacted by allowing Caicedo time off until after the window closed, as they maintained their stance that their prized midfielder was not for sale.
Arsenal, though, have returned with an offer worth £65m plus £5m in add-ons according to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, but Brighton wasted no time in replying with a firm ‘no’.
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Understand Arsenal second bid for Moises Caicedo worth £70m fee with add ons included has been immediately rejected by Brighton tonight. 🚨🔵🇪🇨 #AFC #BHAFC
Should Arsenal make a new proposal in the next 48 hours, it’d be a potential record fee for the club. pic.twitter.com/6mXNfsKI64
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 29, 2023
Brighton insists that they will not be forced into selling Caicedo and have refused to either put a price tag on him.
On the field, Brighton currently sits sixth in the Premier League table and is into the fifth round of the FA Cup after beating Liverpool at the weekend.
The Seagulls firmly believe they are on course for a historic season and they will not be jeopardising that by allowing one of their main players to leave.
It remains to be seen if Arsenal will return with another bid. Chelsea, while still interested, have now turned their attention back to their original January midfield target Enzo Fernandez.