Transfer Window: Brighton's Caicedo Pleads For Arsenal Move And Wonderkid Confirmed

Monday, 30 January 2023 12:45

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Brighton and Hove Albion could receive a club record transfer fee this week — if Arsenal get their way.

The North London club had an offer of around £70m rejected for Seagulls midfield star Moises Caicedo earlier today.

They're expected to test Albion's resolve again before the January transfer window slams shut at 11pm tomorrow (Tuesday).

Brighton are reportedly demanding a fee of around £90m for the 21-year-old Ecuadorian midfield maestro, who cost just £4m from Independiente del Valle in his native country in February 2021.

The talented player — who has only 26 Premier League appearances to his name — took to Instagram on Saturday, pleading for the south-coast side to sanction to the move.

He said:

"I am proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton which would allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful.

"The fans have taken me into their hearts and they will always be in my heart so I hope they can understand why I want to take up this magnificent opportunity.”

Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League, with Brighton in sixth place.

Should a deal be struck over the next 36 hours, it would mark the latest incredible piece of trading conducted by Brighton over the past two seasons:

Marc Cucurella ->

Cost: £7m
Sold for: £63m
Profit: £56m

Ben White ->

Cost: Free
Sold for: £50m
Profit: £50m

Yves Bissouma ->

Cost: £15m
Sold for: £27m
Profit: £12m

Leandro Trossard ->

Cost: £18m
Sold for: £27m
Profit: £9m

Dan Burn ->

Cost: £3m
Sold for: £12m
Profit: £9m

Caicedo's replacement?

Brighton have completed the signing of 19-year-old AIK and Sweden midfielder Yasin Ayari for around £5m.

It's thought the teenager could slot into Caicedo's role in the future, but is likely to be developed with a loan spell in one of Europe's other leagues in a similar fashion to the Ecuadorian.

The 19-year-old Swedish international has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract until June 2027.

Technical director David Weir said:

“Yasin is a versatile and technical midfield player, who’s good on the ball and capable of playing across the midfield

“He’s had an impressive spell in Sweden with AIK, and we are delighted to have completed his transfer and to be welcoming him to the club.

“He will need time to settle here and acclimatise to the Premier League, but we are really looking forward to working with him.”

Ayari made his AIK debut when he was 17, before having his breakthrough season with the Allsvenskan side last year, scoring four goals in 24 league appearances.

Having progressed quickly through the Sweden youth teams, the midfielder made his senior debut earlier on this month, starting in a 2-0 friendly win over Finland.