'He's gone full Cashley Cole!' - Twitter reacts to Caicedo going AWOL

Stuart Telford

28 Jan 2023 13:04 GMT
6 min read

Moises Caicedo has refused to turn up for training at Brighton with Arsenal looking to close a deal for the wantaway Ecuadorean midfielder.

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Caicedo has emerged as one of the most in-demand central midfielders in world football this winter, and Chelsea are also interested in securing his services.

But whilst the Blues beat the Gunners to the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, it looks like Arsenal will win the race for Caicedo, with their latest bid of £60 million (€68.4m) likely to be improved upon in the coming hours.

READ: Moises Caicedo goes AWOL as Arsenal ready new transfer bid - Fabrizio Romano

Arsenal are desperate to sign another central midfielder with Mohamed Elneny's injury leaving cover behind Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka thin on the ground.

A letter to the fans

Caicedo took to social media himself imploring Brighton to let him leave.

"I am grateful to Mr. Bloom and Brighton for giving me the chance to come to the Premier League and I feel I have always done my best for them," he said. "I always play football with a smile and with heart.

"I am the youngest of 10 siblings from a poor upbringing in Santa Domingo in Ecuador. My dream always to be the most decorated player in the history of Ecuador.

READ: How Arsenal would line up with £75m Caicedo

"I am proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton which would allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful.

"The fans have taken me into their hearts, and they will always be in my heart so I hope they can understand why I want to take up this magnificent opportunity."

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Seagulls fans haven't taken kindly to Caicedo's actions…

Caicedo was interested in Chelsea but was willing to wait till the summer until Arsenal offer came in and he lost his mind now he's missing training

He doesn't rate you Cowboys 😭😭
— 𝙂𝘼𝘽𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙏 ✍🏿 (@AfcGabeast) January 28, 2023

Need caicedo to went full cashley cole
— Aurelian🇽🇰🇩🇪 (@Footy_lian07) January 28, 2023

Caicedo about to become the most average player for the remainder of the season and brightons results to suffer. Player always wins.
— Ugnius ♚ (@UgniusK) January 28, 2023

Keeping an unhappy player never works, Caicedo will get his move
— Michael 🇳🇬 (@Michael2497_) January 28, 2023

Caicedo not turning up for training to force a move doesn't look great from the player's side. Assuming we get him, what if he repeats these shenanigans with us for a new deal/another transfer in the future?
— shrëk Günnër (@shrek2be) January 28, 2023

Deep down I want arsenal fans do edit caicedo like these two 😌 pic.twitter.com/iphNZztYUC
— Adekunle👑 (@Kuzz_Mafia) January 28, 2023

Caicedo to Brighton when that Arsenal bid came in pic.twitter.com/uqAs3TmfRW
— William (fan account) (@OzilThings) January 28, 2023

If rumours are true hes on £3500 a week, then if brighton had any bollocks i would put him in the under 23s for rest of his contract and set an example to these players whos heads get turned and the 1st bit of interest! #bhafc #Caicedo
— Jamie Stideford (@jamiestids) January 28, 2023

Totally agree, Johnny. Shameful behaviour. The club that gave Caicedo his big chance is being shown so little respect by the player. I hope he uses his time off to reflect.
— FPL Rich 🔝 (@seagull_rich) January 28, 2023