Ecuadorian midfielder Moisés Caicedo has been put at the center of a possible transfer war in the final days of the January window after Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea have both lodged formal bids for the 21-year-old Brighton starlet.
Though the Seagulls have thus far turned away both offers – with the Gunners’ bid coming in at £60m (£5m more than the Blues) – it is widely expected that club boss Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu Gaspar will submit an improved offer that is rumored to clock-in at a total of £70m.
This would still fall short of the £80m figure Brighton is adamant they would need to consider allowing the youngster to depart at the last minute after already losing Leandro Trossard to Arsenal less than a week ago, and are expected to once again reject the advance from the Premier League leaders.
But some have questioned the finances surrounding his possible move to either Arsenal or Chelsea given Brighton’s demands considering the club paid just £4m to secure his services from C.S.D. Independiente del Valle in the summer of 2021, with Sky Sports pundit and former Blackburn Rovers icon Tim Sherwood being among them.
🗣️ “There are better options out there…”
Tim Sherwood has questioned whether Arsenal should pay £70m for Moisés Caicedo 💰 pic.twitter.com/u47RfjJeyk
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 28, 2023
While during punditry duties, Sherwood suggested that the Gunners should be looking at a player that is a “better option” than the Ecuadorian international given the money Brighton is demanding, citing the recent move by Yves Bissouma as a cause for concern.
“The last thing you want as a manager is unhappy players at your club [referencing Caicedo’s public transfer request on social media]. When their heads are turned by big clubs, unfortunately, invariably, you either take the money or you end up with nothing. You know, without the money or the player, so, you’re better off taking the money.”
“You know, you’re absolutely right. If everyone is fit, he [Caicedo] doesn’t play. We’ve dug out some highlights of his game there…do you see £70m in someone who can run around and tackle in midfield? I mean, his passing range isn’t fantastic, he scores one goal in a blue moon…for me, I think it’s an awful lot of money and I think there are better options out there for Arsenal Football Club in Tielemans, who will be another Leicester player I am selling for Brendan.”
