Moises Caicedo vowed to repay his parents after buying his first football boots

Moises Caicedo was bought his first pair of football boots by his parents, vowed to pay them back and now is linked with Europe's elite sides.

Caicedo has had a rapid rise in the past two years since he made a huge leap from Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, to join Brighton in the Premier League.

At the time, the young midfielder had been linked with a move to Manchester United but eventually joined Brighton for just £5 million, a deal that already looks like a bargain.

After a six month loan spell at Beerschot, in Belgium, at the start of last season, the 21-year-old has already grown to be one of the best midfielders in England's top tier.

Caicedo is already hugely talented at just 21. Image: Alamy

It has taken long for the best teams in the league to notice, although with his help Roberto de Zerbi's side are currently sixth place and only five points behind Tottenham Hotspur with two games in hand.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are amongst the teams who have been linked with the Ecuadorian and they have moved to try and sign him.

On Friday, it was reported that league leaders Arsenal had bid more than Chelsea's previous offer for the central midfielder, as they attempt to boost their first title run since winning in 2003/04.

With a £60 million bid having been rejected, it really does bring into focus just the incredible journey he has been on in less than two years.

BBC news editor Michael Gravesande explained that the player had promised his parents he'd pay them back for his boots, and you can see in the emotional farewell he had with them, when leaving Ecuador, just how much they mean to him.

Brighton have no intention of selling one of their stars right now, even if they understand why Caicedo would like to leave for the title chasers.

Whether they sell now or in the future, they will likely make a huge profit from selling the midfielder, but probably still feel like they have a lot to get out of him yet.

The Gunners have already signed Leandro Trossard from the Amex Stadium this month but the south coast side were willing to let the Belgian go.

He was dropped by De Zerbi after he didn't seem likely to sign a new contract, making an impressive debut for Arsenal, in the win over Manchester United.

Mikel Arteta's side are said to also hold a strong interest in West Ham's Declan Rice, for the summer, and that won't change, even if they can get Caicedo this month.

Topics: Football, Brighton And Hove Albion, Arsenal, Premier League, Transfers

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28