Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners launch THIRD Moises Caicedo bid worth £75m, Ivan Fresneda latest
ARSENAL have launched a third bid for Brighton star Moises Caicedo worth £75million SunSport can exclusively reveal.
It is a fee that falls just £5m short of the Seagulls' asking price for the Ecuadorian.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has spoken after the Seagulls' stunning 2-1 FA Cup win over Liverpool, saying: "we are ready to go forward without him."
And the Gunners received a further boost as Brighton have agreed a deal for Yasin Ayari who is said to be Caicedo's replacement.
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Balogun impressing in France
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun is catching the eye on loan with French side Reims.
The 21-year-old has 11 Ligue 1 goals this season and the latest was a brilliant 96th-minute equaliser ay Lionel Messi's Paris Saint-Germain yesterday.
Arsenal's new third Caicedo bid
Arsenal look determined to get their man and are set to return with a new third bid for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Sports journalist Pete O'Rouke has tweeted an update revealing the Gunners will go back to Albion with a £70million plus £5m in add-ons offer.
The Seagulls are said to be holding out for £80m for the 21-year-old Ecuador star.
Bookies back Caicedo Brighton stay
The bookies reckon Moises Caicedo will still be a Brighton player at the end of the Janaury transfer window.
Arsenal have already had a new £70million bid rejected for the midfielder and are 6-4 with Betfair to seal a deal before the close of play tomorrow.
But Betfair's Sam Rosbottom said: "He is odds-on at 4-7 to remain with Brighton, who have rejected two bids from the Gunners for their star man."
Caicedo development with Brighton signing
Brighton have signed 19-year-old AIK and Sweden midfielder Yasin Ayari for £5.2million, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
That has fueled speculation Albion might now be prepared to sell their in-demand midfielder Moises Caicedo to Arsenal.
The Gunners have already had a £70million bid reportedly rejected.
Manchester United have also been linked with the Ecuador star, 21, who said last year it was his "dream" to play for the Red Devils.
Tielemans tug-of-war pending?
Manchester United have been linked with a move for long-term Arsenal target Youri Tielemans.
The Leicester midfielder, 25, will be a free agent this summer and the Gunners have wanted him for a while.
Now the Red Devils might try and beat them to the punch for the Belgium star it seems.
CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking to The Football Terrace, via The Boot Room, said: “We shouldn’t only be referring to a late Manchester United movement in terms of strikers.
“From what I hear it’s more creative-minded players that can either get box to box from attacking midfield, or in central areas, or are a little more versatile across the front areas.
“Therefore keep an eye on a player like Youri Tielemans, who will be available on a free transfer in the summer.”
Tierney heading for Italy?
So is Kieran Tierney now surplus to requirements at title-chasing Arsenal?
There is little doubt the 35-cap Scotland star is a very decent defender but he has been hit by injuries since joining the Gunners from Celtic in 2019.
And with versatile duo Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu now solid options on that side of Arsenal's in-form defence it may be time for the 25-year-old to move on.
One possible destination is Serie A with Juventus and Inter Milan both keen, according to TMW.
Onana no-no for now?
Arsenal and Chelsea are keen to cherry-pick Everton's shiny new defensive midfielder Amadou Onana - but he is reportedly in no rush to leave Goodison Park.
The Belgium star's performances have been one of the few causes for optimism at relegation-battling Toffees this season.
And after his £33million arrival from Lille six months ago, Onana has 'so far rejected the idea of a move this month', according to The Athletic.
New Prem suitor for Becao
Everton are set to move for reported Arsenal target Rodrigo Becao, according to the Daily Mail.
The Gunners and Spurs are among the clubs previously linked with the Udinese defender, 27.
The Brazilian is valued at about £17million and relegation-battling Toffees are reportedly about to make a late swoop in this window.
United dark horses for Caicedo?
While Arsenal appear to be in the box seat to sign Moises Caicedo, the Manchester Evening News point out it would be no surprise if he ends up at Manchester United.
The Gunners have just seen a £70million bid rejected for the 21-year-old Brighton star.
But the Red Devils also need a midfielder after Christian Eriksen joined Donny van de Beek on the treatment table.
And the MEN have highlighted quotes from Caicedo in The Athletic last year in which he said he wanted to follow in fellow Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia’s footsteps in playing for United.
Caicedo said: “My dream is to play for Manchester United.
Antonio Valencia is an example to follow. With his strength and dedication, he was able to get to that level.
“That motivates me to keep working hard and do the right things.”
Brighton reject £70m Caicedo bid
Brighton have knocked back a new £70million bid for midfielder Moises Caicedo from Arsenal, according to Sky Sports.
Albion boss said yesterday the Ecuador star, 21, could leave in this window but it remains to be seen whether a deal can be done to take him to the Emirates.
Good morning Arsenal fans
The Times reports Brighton are willing to sell Arsenal target Moises Caicedo.
The Gunners have seen a bid of £60m rejected for the Ecuador international, but are poised to return with another bid.
And the Seagulls are now prepared to do business with the Premier League leaders.
They rate Caicedo at around £80million.
Meanwhile, Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton are ready to move forward without Moises Caicedo, giving Arsenal fresh hope of landing the whizkid ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
The Gunners had a £60million opening offer knocked back on Friday for the 21-year-old with Albion owner Tony Bloom not wanting to sell.
De Zerbi said: “Caicedo is a very, very good guy.
“I can understand him because when you are 21, and you receive the request of a big, big team that are playing in Europe, I can understand.
“I would like that he can finish the season with us but we are ready to go forward without him.
“I think we need some players in some positions.
“I spoke a lot of time with Tony (Bloom) he knows very well my opinion because we are a good team but we can improve also from the transfer market.
“We lost Trossard, if we lose also Caicedo it can be a problem for us. If we want to fight for Europe, or the maximum on the table.
“If we want to stay like this (at our current level), we can. But I don’t like.”
Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda was left out of Valladolid’s squad as speculation grows about his future.
The Gunners are said to have made signing the defender a priority in the January transfer window.
And they let Portugal right-back Cedric Soares go on loan to Fulham, which frees up a squad spot for another signing.
Sky Sports confirmed he was missing from his side’s squad to play Valencia on Sunday.
Marco Asensio is considering staying at Real Madrid, according to reports.
The Arsenal target is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a move to the Emirates.
However, Los Blancos have an offer on the table for the talented forward.
Now Marca report they are keen to get a deal over the line for him and keep him at the Bernabeu.
Brighton 'willing' to sell Caicedo
The Times reports Brighton are willing to sell Arsenal target Moises Caicedo.
The Gunners have seen a bid of £60m rejected for the Ecuador international, but are poised to return with another bid.
And the Seagulls are now prepared to do business with the Premier League leaders.
They rate Caicedo at around £80million.
Fresneda left out
Arsenal target Ivan Fresneda was left out of Valladolid's squad as speculation grows about his future.
The Gunners are said to have made signing the defender a priority in the January transfer window.
And they let Portugal right-back Cedric Soares go on loan to Fulham, which frees up a squad spot for another signing.
Sky Sports confirmed he was missing from his side's squad to play Valencia on Sunday.
Asensio u-turn
Marco Asensio is considering staying at Real Madrid, according to reports.
The Arsenal target is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a move to the Emirates.
However, Los Blancos have an offer on the table for the talented forward.
Now Marca report they are keen to get a deal over the line for him and keep him at the Bernabeu.
Patino praise
New Blackpool boss Mick McCarthy has praised on-loan Arsenal wonderkid Charlie Patino's work rate
Speaking to The Athletic after the midfielder scored against Southampton, McCarthy said: “He has a right go at it, Charlie.
"He’s a young man and sometimes he doesn’t always get it right. He might press and get played past, but in the first half, he lost it in front of us about 20 yards into their half and won it back in the 18-yard box at the other side of the pitch. I said, ‘If you can do that, you’ll do for me.'
“The willingness to do it is great. I’ve loved working with him for the last few days, he’s going to be a very good player.”
Bellerin move
Hector Bellerin is on the verge of sealing a move to Sporting Lisbon, according to reports.
The ex-Arsenal defender is likely to be the replacement for Pedro Porro, who is heading for Tottenham.
The move is a loan one, with no reports of an obligation to buy.
Caicedo hope
Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton are ready to move forward without Moises Caicedo, giving Arsenal fresh hope of landing the whizkid ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
The Gunners had a £60million opening offer knocked back on Friday for the 21-year-old with Albion owner Tony Bloom not wanting to sell.
De Zerbi said: “Caicedo is a very, very good guy.
“I can understand him because when you are 21, and you receive the request of a big, big team that are playing in Europe, I can understand.
“I would like that he can finish the season with us but we are ready to go forward without him.
“I think we need some players in some positions.
“I spoke a lot of time with Tony (Bloom) he knows very well my opinion because we are a good team but we can improve also from the transfer market.
“We lost Trossard, if we lose also Caicedo it can be a problem for us. If we want to fight for Europe, or the maximum on the table.
“If we want to stay like this (at our current level), we can. But I don’t like.”
De Zerbi breaks silence on Caicedo
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has spoken out after Moises Caicedo tried to force through a move to Arsenal.
De Zerbi told ITV: "Moises is a good guy.
We will see tomorrow and the next days what happens.
"We hope he stays with us for the rest of the season, but this is a question for the club and Moises.
"Moises is a good guy. In life you can make mistakes. We will see the best solution for the club, for him and for us."
Gunners discussing improved Caicedo bid
Arsenal are reportedly talking internally over launching an improved offer for Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
Claims suggest a new bid is yet to go in but the Gunners could go table £70m for the player.
Caicedo wants to leave the club and has put out a statement on social media, however, the Seagulls want to keep him.
Women hit nine goals
Arsenal Women have won 9-0 in the FA Cup fourth round against Leeds.
The Gunners did not take it easy on their opponents and many stars got in on the act with eight different goalscorers.
Getting on the scoresheet was Caitlin Foord, Katherine Muller Kohl, Kim Little, Lina Hurtig, Jen Beattie, Stina Blackstenius (x2), Michelle Agyemang and Victoria Pelova.
Pepe opens up on Arsenal time
Nicolas Pepe has opened up on his Arsenal career.
The winger made the switch from Lille for £72million but the player did not perform his best in the Premier League and is now out on loan at Nice.
But Pepe has spoke fondly about the Gunners, telling RMC Sport: “My time in England allowed me to evolve. I got older, I had children so I matured a lot.
"I have had some very good experiences as well as some less good ones. It forged my mind and it serves me today."
Manager Mikel Arteta has conceded the price tag put a lot of pressure on Pepe, saying: "I think Nico has tried to deal with that [the price tag] in the best possible way, he is not responsible for the price a club pays for him.
"He has tried everything, his attitude and the way he is, is just phenomenal.
“But then in terms of the decision you have to make on the pitch, who do you select, we made other decisions and obviously that has had an impact on the chances he had to prove his quality."
Tierney wanted by Italian duo
Arsenal left-back Kieran Tiierney is attracting interest from Juventus and Inter Milan.
Tuttomercatoweb claim that both sides are preparing bid as the Scotsman has lost his place in the starting XI due to the form of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
A January move would be a surprise but Juve do want a new left-sided defender as Alex Sandro, 32, sees his deal expire at the end of the current campaign.
Partey Time
Arsenal are confident Thomas Partey WILL be fit for next weekend’s clash against Everton.
That’s despite the star going off injured in Friday night's FA Cup defeat at Manchester City.
Albert Sambi Lokonga came on after Partey suffered a blow to his ribs.
And Arteta later confirmed that his No5 was set for an MRI scan, as fans feared for the Gunners' title hopes.
However, Arsenal are today confident that Partey did not suffer a serious setback.
Nelson back in the gym
Reiss Nelson has uploaded a snap of himself in the Arsenal gym as he continues his recovery from injury.
The winger suffered a hamstring problem in a friendly with Juventus during the World Cup pause.
Nelson was hoping for more first-team opportunities after impressing versus Nottingham Forest just prior to his injury.
