Moises Caicedo is prepared to hand in a transfer request - just days after the midfielder claimed he was "focused" on Brighton.
The Ecuador international, 21, is one of the most sought after youngsters in the Premier League after impressing for Brighton and his country at the recent World Cup in Qatar. Several clubs, including London sides Arsenal and Chelsea, are interested in signing him.
Brighton rejected a £55million offer from Chelsea earlier in the month and have now seen off a bid of £60m from the Gunners. The Seagulls have no interest in selling Caicedo and the emerging talent could be forced to take drastic measures to get his move.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Caicedo is disappointed that Arsenal's significant bid has been rejected and is considering submitting a transfer request to force a move this month. He is said to be eager to test himself at a bigger club and in European competitions.
There is even a suggestion Caicedo could miss Brighton's upcoming FA Cup clash against Liverpool at the Amex on Sunday due to the transfer speculation. Missing that game could help him focus on forcing a transfer ahead of the deadline on Tuesday, January 31.
Brighton's stance is clear - they do not want to sell Caicedo in January. There is not much time left in this transfer window to find a replacement and allowing Caicedo to complete a move would leave manager Roberto De Zerbi short for the second half of the term.
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The Seagulls still have plenty to play for this season. They are sixth in the Premier League - eight points behind Manchester United in fourth. A top-seven finish should be enough to secure European football next season - something they have never achieved before.
Brighton have already been forced to sell Leandro Trossard to Arsenal this month, while Yves Bissouma left to join Tottenham last summer. Unlike Trossard and Bissouma, though, Brighton are in no rush to sell Caicedo. His contract does not expire until June 2025.
Brighton are expected to be more open to selling Caicedo in the summer, which gives them plenty of time to find a replacement. That does not suit Arsenal, however, as they want to sign Caicedo this month to boost their Premier League title charge.
The Gunners are top of the table - five points clear of Manchester City in second with a game in hand. Chelsea are also keen to bring in more reinforcements this month after slipping to 10th in the Premier League - 10 points behind United in fourth.
"I am focused on Brighton," Caicedo told Brighton's website earlier this month. "I am here, I am playing every day. Things from outside don’t trouble me, nor does it take that focus away because I’m focused only on here.
"I handle [the speculation] well. You hear rumours here and there, but I only try to be focused on the club where I am now, the club which opened the doors for me to be playing every week."
