Arsenal may have missed out on Ukrainian superstar Mykhailo Mudryk after Chelsea swooped in at the eleventh hour to sign him this month – but the Gunners could get their own back.
Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders are looking at hijacking Chelsea's potential deals for midfielders Amadou Onana and Moises Caicedo, according to the Standard.
It's claimed Arsenal are looking to make a statement midfield signing in the upcoming summer transfer window, with West Ham United captain Declan Rice at the top of their shortlist.
But it seems Brighton mainstay Caicedo and Everton's Onana are also options for Arteta, with Chelsea seeing two bids worth more than £55million for Caicedo rejected by the Seagulls this month.
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The Ecuador international has only just turned 21 and has hugely impressed for Brighton this season.
Caicedo came close to joining Manchester United in a cut-price deal in 2020 but was eventually snapped up by the savvy south coast club for just £5 million in February 2021.
He's committed himself to Roberto De Zerbi's side for the time being, but could well be prised away from the Amex Stadium in the summer.
"You hear rumours here and there," Caicedo said recently. "But I only try to be focused on the club where I am now, the club that opened the doors for me to be playing every week.
"Things from outside don’t trouble me, nor does it take that focus away, because I’m focused only on here."
Chelsea have also been linked heavily with Onana, but he's reportedly on Arsenal's radar as well.
It remains to be seen whether the Stamford Bridge club will be successful in their renewed attempts to sign Benfica and Argentina superstar Enzo Fernandez this month.
Reports claim talks have reopened but the Portuguese club will likely demand a fee in excess of £100 million, as new owner Todd Boehly continues to splash the cash in West London. Chelsea have signed 14 players since the summer.
Topics: Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Arsenal, Chelsea, Brighton And Hove Albion, Everton, Transfers
Dominic Booth