Moises Caicedo asked to leave Brighton and join Arsenal in the January transfer window after the Gunners had turned his head.
The PL leaders had several offers for his signature rejected by the Seagulls, but that did not stop him from asking for a move.
Arsenal eventually respected the decision of their rivals to keep the midfielder and moved for Jorginho instead.
They are expected to make a new effort to land Caicedo when the transfer window reopens, but the midfielder has extended his Brighton contract.
With no release clause attached, this makes it harder for Arsenal to sign him and the Ecuador international insists he is happy and focused on helping his present club.
He told the club’s website: “It wasn’t a hard decision. If it had been a hard decision, I wouldn’t have signed. I’m happy with everything at the club and that’s why I signed.
“I’m focused here on Brighton, the club which opened the doors. I am very happy to be here and really pleased [with the new contract]. I don’t even think about the speculation. I am focused on Brighton and doing things well here. I am very happy here with my colleagues, with all the club and I will keep giving 100% for this club.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
A new deal does not mean Caicedo cannot leave Brighton. It just means anyone buying the midfielder now must spend a lot of money to achieve that.
If we still want him, we can negotiate a transfer in the summer when Brighton can replace him.
ARSENAL DESERVEDLY CONTI CUP WINNERS
Jonas can’t hide his happiness at finally winning a trophy with the Arsenal Women’s team.
“I’m so proud!” – Full press conference….…
Follow Michelle on Just Gooner Women on Twitter for regular updates on the Arsenal Womens Team!
Do you want to read more about the Arsenal Women’s Team? Click here….
A terrific player who will eventually move on from a Club which ,in terms of recruitment, is second to none.I suspect we have missed the boat with Caicedo and perhaps our recruitment team should try to emulate the Brighton policy of unearthing relatively unknown talents before they hit the big stage.
If we go ahead with your plan, then we will be saying bye bye to trophies. That’s the way this whole thing works, in the big leagues at least
I may have given the impression that we should refrain from buying finished articles, but that is not the case.As a self sustaining Club we are not in a position to operate outwith predetermined budgets, unlike Chelsea, City and in time, Newcastle.As such it’s a matter of balance between potential and the established assets The recent purchase of Kiwior may be a step in the right direction but the acquisition of Veiria is ,it seems to me, likely to be another poor investment.Brighton on the other hand, rarely invest badly and are highly competent in homing in on the lower end of the market .