24 January 2023 , 17:00
1284
0
Arsenal could play Chelsea at their own game as they eye two of the Blues' January targets.
The Gunners missed out on Mykhaylo Mudryk, who was among the players they wanted to sign this month. The north Londoners had been in negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk but refused to pay their asking price, before their rivals swooped in to pay a whopping £89m for the Ukrainian.
Arsenal, who sit top of the Premier League thanks to a sensational first-half of the season, are in need of reinforcements as they look to add more depth to their squad. Mikel Arteta has worked with a small cluster of players, but is now eyeing Moises Caicedo and Amadou Onana, according to the Evening Standard.
Both men were also on Chelsea's radar, with the Blues having several hefty bids for Caicedo turned down. The Ecuadorian is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge but will not force his exit from the Amex Stadium. However, Arsenal are now considering a move for the midfielder.
Caicedo has said on his future: “I am focused on Brighton. I am here, I’m playing every day. Things from outside don’t trouble me, nor does it take that focus away, because I’m focused only on here.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
"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 that opened the doors for me to be playing every week.”
Arsenal have relied on Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey to control their midfield throughout the season. The pair have started the majority of games, with Xhaka yet to miss a league outing. The depth beyond them is a concern, though Caicedo would add more quality.
Would Caicedo be a good signing for Arsenal? Have your say in the comments below.
Moises Caicedo is a leading light at Brighton (Getty Images)Everton's Amadou Onana, who only moved to Goodison Park in the summer, is also on the shortlists of both Arsenal and Chelsea. The Blues have been prepared to spend big with new owner Todd Boehly shelling out more than £400m since his arrival in London.
Arsenal's recruitment has been crucial in their rapid rise with the club taking a measured approach in the transfer market, targeting a certain type of player. They've added Leandro Trossard from Brighton and recently completed the signing of Pole Jakub Kiwior from Spezia.
Arteta said earlier this month: "We are really trying to improve the squad in every window. We’re trying to do our best because we cannot waste any windows still with the squad and the numbers that we have. We will try."
The Gunners are also thought to be among those leading the race for Declan Rice, who is expected to move on from West Ham, but any switch won't happen until the summer.