Arsenal 'pull OUT of Moises Caicedo race' amid Declan Rice interest
Arsenal ‘pull OUT of the race to sign Moises Caicedo’ amid Chelsea and Man United interest in £80m-rated Brighton midfielder… as West Ham hold out for £100m for Declan Rice
- Arsenal have now ended their pursuit of Moises Caicedo, according to reports
- Brighton and Hove Albion want £80million for the Ecuadorian central midfielder
- Gunners’ reported decision comes as West Ham play hardball over Declan Rice
- Transfer news LIVE: Manchester City emerge as rivals to Arsenal over Rice, 24
Arsenal have ended their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to reports.
The Gunners, who finished second in the Premier League last season behind Manchester City, were keen on the £80million-rated Caicedo to bolster their midfield at the start of the summer.
But the club are also targeting the signing of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, who is valued at around £100m by David Moyes’ side.
On Thursday, the Hammers rejected Arsenal’s lowball offer of £80m plus add-ons for their top target, meaning Mikel Arteta and Co will likely have to stump up more cash to secure his signature.
And as reported by the Times, the north London side have pulled out of the race for Caicedo in a separate decision – though that call may well have been influenced by West Ham’s stance on Rice.
Arsenal have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, 21
Their apparent decision could be related to West Ham’s valuation of No 1 target Declan Rice
On Thursday, Mail Sport reported the Hammers rejected Arsenal’s lowball £80m offer for Rice
Brighton, who qualified for the Europa League and have already sold Caicedo’s regular midfield partner Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool for £35m, expect the Ecuadorian wonderkid to leave this summer.
But their asking price of £80m seems to have driven away Arsenal, amid reported interest from fellow English giants Manchester United and Chelsea.
Meanwhile, champions City have emerged as shock rivals to Arsenal as they chase England key man Rice.
As reported by Mail Sport‘s Kieran Gill and Sami Mokbel, the north London club has long been the favoured option ahead of a likely summer move for the England star, despite overtures from a number of top flight clubs.
Rivals to secure Rice’s services have included Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, but their interest has waned after confronting the reality of Rice’s reported desire to join Mikel Arteta’s side.
Bayern Munich wrapped up their interest in the 24-year-old on Tuesday, despite head coach Thomas Tuchel’s desire to make him the club’s record signing, their unwillingness to compete with Arsenal’s financial muscle also a factor.
The Hammers believe their player is worth a staggering £110million, and co-chairman Daniel Sullivan’s hopes of an array of suitors driving up one another’s bids may yet come to fruition.
West Ham are believed to be interested in what Man City may be able to offer for the player, further delaying the Gunners’ plans to make a swift move for their No 1 transfer target.
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