‘Third bid’ for Caicedo revealed as Arsenal return to ‘negotiating table’ and learn Brighton’s asking price

Premier League side Arsenal are preparing a new bid of around £75m for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to reports.

The Gunners have been pursuing the Ecuador international for the last few weeks with the Seagulls remaining firm in their ‘not for sale’ approach.

Arsenal made an opening offer of around £60m last week, which was swiftly rejected, with Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu deciding to up the offer to £65m plus £5m in add-ons over the weekend.

And their latest offer was also immediately rejected with widespread reports claiming that Brighton don’t want to sell until the summer, especially this close to the end of the transfer window.

There have even been reports earlier today that Arsenal are now prepared to ‘walk away’ from any potential deal after they had their second bid rejected.

Caicedo clearly wants the move to the Emirates Stadium with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insisting that the Brighton midfielder would “love” to join Arsenal before the end of the window.

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And now Football Insider claim that Arsenal are ‘set to return to the negotiating table with a third bid’ for Caicedo and the Gunners ‘have not given up hope of landing Caicedo even though Brighton have firmly insisted behind the scenes the midfielder is not for sale this month’.

Sources have told the website that the new bid from Arsenal is ‘expected to be around £70m supplemented by a further £5m of performance-related add-ons’.

And the Seagulls ‘could be willing to sell by Tuesday night’s cut-off but are holding out for £80m’ with Chelsea also reportedly interested in the Ecuador international.

Former England international Paul Robinson reckons Arsenal could swoop for Everton midfielder Amadou Onana instead if they are priced out of a move for Caicedo.

Robinson told Football Insider: “Onana is a very powerful, athletic player.

“I have been really impressed with him since he’s come to England. He has not been consistent this season but he has easily been one of Everton’s best players.

“If Arsenal are priced out of a move for Caicedo, they could put in a bid for Onana. It would certainly be cheaper.

“Everton are not in a position where they can afford to sell anybody though. They have just lost [Anthony] Gordon and I don’t think they should be selling anyone else given the position they are in. They have not spent their money well in recent years.

“Onana would be a great signing for Arsenal but at the same time, Everton really shouldn’t sell. It will be an interesting one to watch.”