Brighton’s Moises Caicedo told to stay away from training amid Chelsea and Arsenal transfer interest

It would not be the transfer window without huge bidding wars, player statements and refusals to turn up to training. Well, you can thank Moises Caicedo for allowing you to tick off the last of the squares on your bingo card, because he has pulled out the Big Book of Football Transfers and gone step by step on how to force a move.

The Brighton midfielder jumped onto everyone’s radar after a move to the Premier League from Independiente del Valle. The player impressed in the middle of the pitch for the side under Graham Potter and now Roberto De Zerbi, and has since been under the watchful eye of England’s all-conquering giants.

Chelsea, with their huge pockets, offered Brighton a huge initial bid of £55 million, which was rejected by the Seagulls. The player, however was interested in the move and was even willing to stay at Brighton before moving to the London club in the summer of 2023. The club saw Caicedo as an important asset and one they did not want to see leave, and stayed put.

The Premier League bidding war begins

As often happens with the Premier League’s top teams, a shiny toy chosen by one becomes a shiny toy chosen by all, and as such, Arsenal jumped into the bidding with an offer of £60 million. Brighton, again standing firm on their young midfield talent, said no. As the bidding crept up, so did the desire to seek pastures new, with the player reportedly excited about the prospect of joining in on a title race.

It is also said that Arsenal won’t stop at the first hurdle: like a teenager asking out the pretty girl to the dance again despite previous rejections, they are expected to go back with an improved offer for the 21 year-old.

The midfielder tries to take control

In the tug of war with a rope of innumerable ends, the player tried to take control, pulling his weight in the deal. He released a statement on January 27 saying “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.”

Brighton fight back

Caicedo, as of Saturday 28 January, did not report to training with Brighton, preferring to stay away and force his club into making a decision on the deal. Brighton, as has become tradition, refused to budge, and say that he will not be sold in this window. Caicedo is now out of the squad and will play no part in the club’s FA Cup fourth round match against Liverpool on Sunday.

Added to that, the club have told Caicedo that he is to stay away from training until the transfer window closes. Sky Sports reported that the club have “given him a few days away to get his head right for the remainder of the season.”

There may not be many squares left on the bingo cards, but that will not stop the drama over the next few days with the Premier League’s most wanted player. The Independent have reported that Brighton are now holding out for an eye-watering sum of £90 million.