Arsenal face Liverpool BATTLE for ‘new Caicedo’ transfer

Arsenal are interested in signing a Premier League star who is slowly becoming the successor to Moises Caicedo after his record transfer to Chelsea last year.

Caicedo joined the Blues in August 2023 for an initial fee of €116 million, with the deal potentially rising to a British transfer record price of more than €135m with add-ons.

The ex-Brighton midfielder was a long-term target for Arsenal but they were eventually blown out of the water by Chelsea and Liverpool, who battled hard for Caicedo after his exceptional progress with the Seagulls.

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Brighton signed Carlos Baleba from Lille as Caicedo’s replacement, paying €27m for the Cameroon international in the hopes that he could emulate the Ecuadorian’s impact at the Amex Stadium.

Baleba had a slow start to life in England, making just 15 Premier League starts in his debut campaign, but the 20-year-old has come into his own under new Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler this season.

The youngster’s development has attracted the attention of Arsenal, with talkSPORT claiming that Mikel Arteta’s side could battle Liverpool and Tottenham for Baleba.

Baleba on course to be next big money departure from Brighton

Having failed to make a significant impact on Brighton last season, Baleba has been a regular starter under Hurzeler, grabbing a goal and an assist in his eight Premier League appearances this year.

Baleba has earned praise for his defensive acumen and passing ability, while also providing the energy and athleticism that Caicedo brought to the team prior to his departure.

With Brighton able to keep Baleba contracted until 2029, they are under no pressure to sell and could feasibly hold onto their new prized asset until his value grows to a similar level to Caicedo’s.

However, the south-coast side are also known to be willing sellers for any of their players for the right price and could be tempted to make a quick profit on Baleba if a significant offer comes in.

Brighton are unlikely to consider a sale mid-season and, while Arsenal remain interested, it is perhaps Liverpool who could prove the most determined option to sign Baleba as they continue their search for a midfielder, particularly after missing out on Caicedo to Chelsea.

Having already signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton last year, Liverpool failed in an approach to bring in Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi in the summer and Baleba could be a young, Premier League-proven alternative to the Spaniard, albeit at potentially a higher price.