Arsenal have failed to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk, who joined Chelsea, but the Gunners are now targeting two Blues targets with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo among them.
Arsenal could take on Chelsea in their own game as they have their eyes on the Blues’ two January targets.
The Gunners are missing Mykhaylo Mudryk, who is one of the players they are looking to sign this month. The north Londoners had been in negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk but refused to pay their asking price, before their rivals swooped in to pay a whopping £89m for Ukraine.
Arsenal, who are sitting top of the Premier League thanks to a sensational first half of the season, need reinforcements as they look to add depth to their squad. Mikel Arteta has been working with a small group of players, but is now eyeing Moises Caicedo and Amadou Onana, according to the Evening Standard.
Both men have also been on Chelsea’s radar, with several hefty Blues offers for Caicedo turned down. The Ecuadorian wants a move to Stamford Bridge but will not force him out of the Amex Stadium. However, Arsenal are now considering a move for the midfielder.
Caicedo said of his future: “I’m focused on Brighton. I’m here, I play every day. Outside things don’t distract me, nor do they take away from that focus, because I’m only focused here.
“I handled [speculation] well. You hear rumors here and there, but I’m just trying to focus on the club I’m at now, the club that opens doors for me to play every week.”
Arsenal have relied on Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey to control their midfield throughout the season. The pair have started the majority of matches, with Xhaka yet to miss a league game. Depth beyond them is a concern, though Caicedo will add quality.
Everton’s Amadou Onana, who only moved to Goodison Park in the summer, is also on Arsenal and Chelsea’s shortlist. The Blues have been prepared to spend big with new owner Todd Boehly paying over £400m since his arrival in London.
Arsenal’s signing was particularly noteworthy in their rapid rise with the club taking a measured approach to the transfer market, targeting certain types of players. They have added Leandro Trossard from Brighton and have just completed the signing of Pole Jakub Kiwior from Spezia.
Arteta said earlier this month: “We are really trying to improve the squad in every window. We are trying to do our best because we cannot waste any window with the squad and numbers we have. We will try.”
The Gunners are also thought to be among those leading the hunt for Declan Rice, who has been tipped for a move away from West Ham, but any switch isn’t expected until the summer.