Moises Caicedo heads deadline-day speculation as Chelsea pursue Enzo Fernandez
Moises Caicedo’s future is likely to dominate transfer deadline day as the midfielder is eyeing a move to Arsenal and Brighton are determined not to sell.
Brighton turned down Arsenal’s original £60m offer for the Ecuador international, but Caicedo then publicly stated he wanted to leave “to take advantage of this great opportunity”.
However, Brighton are digging in and although Caicedo was left out of the squad that beat Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday, boss Roberto De Zerbi reiterated he wants to keep the 21-year-old for the remainder of the season.
He said: “Caicedo is a very good guy. I understand when you’re 21 and have the chance to have a big team in Europe. But I would like him to end the season with us.”
However, Arsenal are expected to come back with an improved offer while Chelsea have also been linked.
However, the Blues will reportedly make a last-ditch effort to secure their preferred target of signing Benfica’s Argentinian midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Andrey Santos and Noni Madueke have already arrived at Stamford Bridge this month.
Brighton, meanwhile, have brought in a midfielder, Yasin Ayari from Swedish club AIK, but the 19-year-old is seen as one of the future rather than Caicedo’s replacement.
Elsewhere, Manchester City are not expected to be busy on deadline day despite Joao Cancelo’s shockingly proposed move to Bayern Munich.
Similarly, Manchester United appear to have closed their deal barring the possibility of a fringe player or two being loaned out.
Tottenham’s move for Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon is reportedly in the balance and negotiations are likely to go to the end.
Brentford would be happy to loan out Spurs outcast Djed Spence.
Newcastle have signed Anthony Gordon from Everton but they are not done yet as Eddie Howe seeks a loan replacement for Nottingham Forest’s Jonjo Shelvey.
The Magpies are also close to completing the signing of young West Ham full-back Harrison Ashby.
The Hammers need a centre-back after selling Craig Dawson to Wolves and being linked with Everton’s Michael Keane, but the arrival of new manager Sean Dyche at Goodison Park has muddied the waters there.
West Ham striker Michail Antonio appears to be looking for a move but injuries to all of the club’s other strikers mean he is unlikely to get his wish.
Fellow contenders Southampton need a new attacking option and are reportedly keen on Rennes winger Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Saints boss Nathan Jones on Monday threw cold water on rumors linking striker Che Adams with Everton.
