Ornstein reveals ‘most likely’ Arsenal transfer after ruling out Caicedo move on deadline day

The Athletic journalist David Ornstein insists that Arsenal will look at other targets after conceding defeat in their pursuit of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Arsenal have spent the last couple of weeks attempting to sign the Ecuador international with the Gunners having two bids turned down for his services.

Their latest bid in the region of £70m will apparently be their last with the Daily Mail reporting that Arsenal are ‘worried’ about the long-term implications of making another bid for Caicedo after the Seagulls made it clear that he is ‘not for sale’.

Ben White arrived from Brighton in 2021 and Leandro Trossard moved to Arsenal from the Seagulls in the current transfer window and the Gunners are concerned it would negatively impact their healthy relationship.

And Ornstein backs that up by claiming that Arsenal are now “advancing towards and agreement” for Jorginho and the Chelsea midfielder is their “most likely recruit” before the deadline.

Ornstein wrote for The Athletic: ‘Arsenal are advancing towards an agreement for Jorginho and that is now their most likely recruit, with an acceptance that Brighton’s resistance to selling Moises Caicedo means that deal will not materialise.

‘The Athletic reported last night that Arsenal were exploring a possible move for the Italy international. The Premier League leaders are very light on cover for first-choice holding midfielder Thomas Partey, with Mohamed Elneny absent through injury.

‘Mikel Arteta is thought to have been the driving force behind the north London side’s interest in Jorginho.

‘Arsenal have chased Brighton’s Caicedo throughout the window, but the south coast club are adamant they will not sell him.

‘They have now turned to Jorginho, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer. This means Chelsea are at risk of losing the 31-year-old for nothing if he does not leave on a permanent transfer in this window.’

Another reliable journalist, Ben Jacobs, also issued an update on Caicedo with the CBS Sports reporter also confirming there have been no new bids for the Brighton midfielder.

Jacobs wrote on Twitter:”Brighton’s position on Moises Caicedo remains that they expect him to stay. The only outgoings the club are planning for today are development loans. Arsenal have not sent a third bid as of first thing this morning.”

READ MORE: Top ten transfers which should go through on a weirdly exciting January deadline day