Arsenal mean business this summer with Moises Caicedo targeted along with Declan Rice
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal are set to move for Moises Caicedo – despite being in the final stages of completing a move for Declan Rice.
The Gunners are losing Granit Xhaka this summer with prolific transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirming in a tweet that the Swiss will part ways with the club. It has been highly speculated that Declan Rice's imminent move from east London to north will fill that void in midfield – but now, perhaps it won't.
The Guardian has reported that Arsenal's move for West Ham United captain Rice is "progressing quickly", though another move for Moises Caicedo looks to be in the pipeline.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo and West Ham United's Declan Rice are both Arsenal targets (Image credit: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
A source has told Chelsea journalist Simon Phillips that Arsenal have a bid ready for Caicedo irrespective of the Rice deal. According to the report, this is the strongest that Arsenal have ever been financially, with the Blues looking to rival their London neighbours for the Brighton midfielder's signature.
The move for these two midfielders could potentially see Caicedo move to a right-back berth, similar to the one that Thomas Partey played in the latter stage of the season. Added depth could well be on Mikel Arteta's mind, too, as he competes on four fronts next season.
Arsenal look set to pay a base figure of around £90 million for Rice and with Brighton rejecting bids of £65m for Caicedo in January, according to The Athletic, it seems likely that 'Riceido' – as fans are dubbing the duo on social media – will set Arsenal back £150m at least.
The Gunners could see themselves spend more than their record signing – the £72m they shelled out for Nicolas Pepe in 2019 – twice in one window.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks prepared to spend big this summer (Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Rice has just joined up with England for international duty ahead of the Three Lions' Euro 2024 qualifiers, with West Ham chairman David Sullivan telling talkSPORT, "We promised him he could go," after the Europa Conference League final.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
