Romano hints at ‘surprise’ Arsenal bid as Chelsea ‘step up interest’ in Gunners target

Fabrizio Romano thinks Arsenal could yet make a “surprise” bid for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo before the end of the January transfer window.

The Gunners have been very active in the winter market already with Leandro Trossard arriving from Brighton, after they missed out on Mykhaylo Mudryk to Chelsea, while Jakub Kiwior has joined from Spezia.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted publicly that they are looking to bring in some midfield cover before the end of the window but he’s not sure whether it will be achievable.

Arteta told a press conference on Wednesday: “Well, we need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can. In this market, it’s pretty complicated to do that.

“The most important thing is that we get the performances and the time on the pitch that we need with the players we have available today that are already really good.

“If there’s anything else available that can make us better we’ll look at it.

“I don’t think he (Mohamed Elneny) will be [available for Friday]. He had some issues with his knee that we are assessing at the moment and we will have to see how he evolves in the next couple of days.

“There are concerns, especially (because) Mo is a player who never complains about anything. But let’s see.”

And they have been linked with a number of midfieders in recent weeks and months but two players have come up more than most in the last few days.

They are Caicedo at Brighton – who has been heavily linked with a number of clubs including Chelsea and Liverpool – and Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.

And now transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says “don’t rule out surprise late Arsenal transfer bid” for Caicedo with the Gunners “exploring” a possible deal.

Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “Arsenal are one of the three clubs exploring the potential Moises Caicedo deal after he changed agents. Chelsea and Liverpool are also being kept informed on the player.

“I wouldn’t exclude anything happening in the final days, after last summer Arsenal tried on Deadline Day for Douglas Luiz out of nothing. Let’s see for Caicedo, it’s important to underline that Brighton have no intention to sell unless they receive an important bid.”

And The Times has revealed that Chelsea have ‘stepped up their interest’ in Onana after 90min reported that Arsenal ‘have been in touch’ with Everton over a possible transfer.

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