Revealed: Arsenal wanted Chelsea star to partner Rice

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 7 May 2024 21:34 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal reportedly wanted to sign Moises Caicedo to play alongside Declan Rice last summer.

Caicedo, 22, was the subject of a transfer tug-of-war between the Gunners, Liverpool and Chelsea, with the latter winning the race for his signature after agreeing an initial €116 million deal with Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Ecuador international has performed well since moving to Stamford Bridge, despite large criticism, although he could’ve been involved in a Premier League title battle if he’d opted to join Arsenal last summer.

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Mikel Arteta’s side reportedly wanted to sign the 21-year-old to play next to Rice in midfield. However, they were unable to agree a deal and Caicedo joined Chelsea instead.

Arsenal wanted Moises Caicedo

Arsenal journalist Charles Watts told CaughtOffside: “Caicedo was a player they [Arsenal] really wanted and were willing to pay big money for. But they weren’t going to pay what Brighton were asking for so they walked away after seeing multiple bids rejected in January 2023.

“Obviously they then went and signed Declan Rice the following summer, but as far as I’m aware they still would have gone for the West Ham captain even if they had managed to get Caicedo in the summer. The plan was always to try and get both of them, not one.”

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After failing to sign Caicedo, Arsenal opted against pursuing another defensive midfielder in addition to Rice, with Arteta sticking with Thomas Partey and Jorginho. Martin Zubimendi and Douglas Luiz have both been touted to join the Gunners in 2024, but it remains to be seen if Arsenal are able to fund a move for either player during the upcoming summer transfer window.

As for Caicedo, he has made 45 appearances for Chelsea this season, although he is yet to score his first goal for the Blues.