Roberto Di Zerbi says Brighton will keep Moises Caicedo and hopes “everyone will be wrong” after the midfielder asked to leave the club in January.
“I’m proud to be able to bring a record transfer fee to Brighton,” Caicedo said on Instagram after being told to stay away from training with the Seagulls at the transfer deadline on Tuesday.
Arsenal’s £60m bid for the Ecuador international this window was rejected and Chelsea have also expressed interest in the 21-year-old, who has been training with Seagull’s first team since the summer.
De Zerby said ahead of Brighton’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Liverpool. ITV He hoped a reconciliation could be reached with the midfielder – and he will remain at the Amex Stadium for the rest of the season.
“Moses is a good guy, we’ll see what happens tomorrow and the day after,” he said. We hope he stays with us until the end of the season.
“You can make mistakes in life. There are many solutions for each person. We will look at the best solution for him and for us.”
Sky Sports News Brighton has made it clear that Moise Caicedo is not for sale.
Brighton has made it clear personally to Caicido that he will not be leaving in January. They appreciate that his head has changed with the interest in him, and they have given him a few days to get his head right for the rest of the season.
Caicedo’s social media statement read: “Thank you Mr Blue and Brighton for giving me the opportunity to come to the Premier League and I always feel I have done my best for them. I always play football with a smile and heart.”
“I am the last of 10 brothers who had a poor upbringing in Santa Domingo, Ecuador. It has always been my dream to become the most decorated player in the history of Ecuador.
“I am proud to be able to bring Brighton a record transfer fee which will help them reinvest and help the club continue to thrive.”
Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridges has detailed Arsenal’s £60m bid for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
“The fans have taken it to heart and will always be in my heart so I hope they understand why I want to take this amazing opportunity.”
As Caicedo revealed to Brighton’s official website earlier this week, his focus was solely on his current club.
Leandro Trossard left Brighton for Arsenal in the current window for £27m but Brighton are determined to keep Caicedo.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta refused to comment on the midfielder after Friday night’s 1-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat to Manchester City.
Roberto De Zerbi has spoken of Moises Caicedo as a father figure rather than a coach and says he hopes he will stay with Brighton until the end of the season.
Arteta said: “You know I’m not going to comment on any player until something is done and I’ll continue like that, sorry.
“As I said before, we have been very active in the market. We have some important things and if there is one thing, the club is willing to try to do it, when it makes sense, and hopefully it is a player who can improve our team.”