Arsenal have submitted a second offer for Moises Caicedo of £60m – plus £10m in add-ons – but Brighton are set to reject the offer, with the Seagulls demanding £80m for their star midfielder.
Caicedo stayed away from Brighton training on Saturday as he tries to force through a move to Arsenal or Chelsea.
The Ecuador international begged Brighton to let hin leave in an instagram message on Friday after reports emmerged that he was considering handing in a transfer request.
Caicedo is concerned that he may not get the chance to join Arsenal or Chelsea in the summer, with the clubs set to go head-to-head for West Ham captain Declan Rice at the end of the season.
However, any Rice pursuit won’t be affected by Caicedo, with the England international still in the plans of the clubs should they buy the Brighton star.
One reason why Arsenal would look to sign Caicedo is the injury suffered to Thomas Partey against Man City.
Caicedo, in his message on social media on Friday, wrote that a record transfer fee ‘would allow Brighton to reinvest and help the club continue to be successful.’
After missing Saturday morning’s training session, the 21-year-old will play no part in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Liverpool at the Amex Stadium.