Arsenal could return for Caicedo

Arsenal could return for Moises Caicedo in the summer, after failing to sign him in the January transfer window, Pete O’Rourke has claimed.

What’s the word?

The Gunners had a number of large bids rejected for the Brighton midfielder late in the window, and the Ecuador international expressed his desire to join the league leaders.

However, Brighton remained firm in their stance that he was not for sale, and Mikel Arteta ultimately signed Jorginho from Chelsea instead.

Could Jorginho prove a better signing than Caicedo?

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Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke claimed that Arsenal could return for Caicedo in the summer, as their interest will likely still be alive as they search for a long-term solution in midfield.

“Moises Caicedo, obviously, admitted in a social media post that he would be keen to move on from Brighton and he wanted the opportunity to join a top club like Arsenal or Chelsea,”

“I’m sure Arsenal’s interest will remain and it’s a deal that they will try to rekindle in the summer.”

Caicedo or Rice?

Now that Jorginho has joined, it may be the case that Arsenal only pursues one of Caicedo and Declan Rice, whom they have reportedly made their top target.

Rice is older, and more experienced in the Premier League as well as being a full England international.

Caicedo, whose potential move deal with Arsenal was described as “outrageous” by Lee Hendrie, ranks more favourably for tackling as per FBref, indicating that he may be stronger at pure defending, but Rice ranks higher for passing and clearances, and may also bring a better sense of leadership to the club.

Arteta has brought in some strong personalities with the likes of Oleksander Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard, both of whom captain their national sides, and Rice’s experience as West ham captain may swing Arsenal’s preference towards him.