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

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:09 CDT
• 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.

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…