31 January 2023 , 19:14
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Moises Caicedo went too far in his passionate plea to be allowed to leave Brighton for Arsenal, according to his Ecuador team-mate Enner Valencia.
Seagulls midfielder Caicedo went public with his desire to leave the Amex Stadium this month amid interest from both the Gunners and Chelsea, but Brighton stood firm and refused to budge on their valuation despite Arsenal lodging a £70million bid for the 21-year-old.
The Gunners have instead turned to experienced Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, with the 31-year-old Italian international signing an 18-month deal on transfer deadline day to provide competition for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey for the title-chasing Gunners.
Last Friday evening Caicedo had made a passionate plea to be allowed to leave Brighton on social media.
He wrote on Instagram: "I am grateful to Mr Bloom (Tony Bloom, the club's chairman) and Brighton for giving me the chance to come to the Premier League and I feel I have always done my best for them. I always play football with a smile and with heart.
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"I am the youngest of 10 siblings form a poor upbringing in Santa Domingo in Ecuador. My dream always to be the most decorated player in the history of Ecuador.
"I am proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton which would allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful.
Moises Caicedo had hoped to join Arsenal (Getty Images)"The fans have taken me into their hearts and they will always be in my heart so I hope they can understand why I want to take up this magnificent opportunity."
Caicedo will now be forced to stay at Brighton for the remainder of the season, and former West Ham and Everton forward Valencia, who starred alongside him at the World Cup, feels he made a mistake in issuing the statement.
"If I had spoken with him, I would have told him not to post what he posted on Instagram," the current Fenerbahce star told Ecuadorian site DeUnaSF.
"If he wants to leave, he could discuss that with in-house with the club."
Meawhile, former Arsenal star Paul Merson is a big fan of the Jorginho signing.
"I think [it's] outstanding. You are buying experience as well. He’s won big trophies. He is a proper holding midfield player," he told Sky Sports.
Valencia (centre) played with Caicedo (right) at the World Cup in Qatar (AFP via Getty Images)“We were only talking about, two years ago when they won the Champions League and he won the Euros, we were saying ‘why don’t England produce one of these players?’. Two years on and Arsenal could be getting him.
“I know he’s two years older, but he’s so intelligent. He’ll protect the back four and he just keeps it simple. He will be feeding Odegaard. He will be feeding Saka and Martinelli.
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“For me, he is a top signing. He knows he won’t be playing every week. But he will bring experience and calmness. I call it a cup of tea.”