Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo has broken his silence on the dramatic transfer saga that saw him snub a move to Arsenal, ultimately joining rivals Chelsea in a record-breaking £115million deal.
The Transfer That Almost Was
In a revealing interview, Caicedo reflected on how close he came to joining Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in January 2023. The Gunners had a £60million bid rejected by Brighton and Hove Albion, who remained firm on their valuation of the player. This approach came as Arsenal sought midfield reinforcements amid concerns about Mohamed Elneny's fitness, but Brighton demonstrated their notorious negotiating strength, having previously held firm on transfers for players like Marc Cucurella and Ben White.
Speaking to the Daily Mail about the collapsed move, Caicedo presented a philosophical perspective. "Everything happens for a reason," the midfielder stated. "I almost did it but now I'm here and I'm so happy. The timing was good. I waited until Chelsea came for me."
Why Chelsea Won the Battle
Caicedo's transfer saga took another twist when Liverpool entered the fray, striking an £111million agreement with Brighton. However, the Ecuador international made his preference crystal clear, ultimately securing his move to Stamford Bridge. The midfielder addressed those who questioned his decision at the time, acknowledging that "People laughed. They said I chose the wrong place, but sometimes you need time to adapt to a big team. I needed that."
The 24-year-old expressed profound gratitude towards Chelsea for their faith in him, stating "I want to give everything to this club because they didn't doubt me." He emphasised the club's ambition as a decisive factor, adding "I chose Chelsea because they have ambitions. I want to win trophies – more trophies with this club."
London Derby Showdown Looms
Caicedo's revelations come at a pivotal moment as Chelsea prepare to face Arsenal on Sunday at 4:30pm in a top-of-the-table clash. The match presents a fascinating subplot, pitting the midfielder who nearly joined Arsenal against the club that pursued him so vigorously.
Arteta's Arsenal currently sit six points clear at the Premier League summit, generating belief that they could end their 21-year wait for the title. When questioned about Chelsea's chances of disrupting their London rivals' momentum, Caicedo responded with confidence: "Why not? They are doing really well, but we haven't faced them yet."
Adding intrigue to the midfield battle, Arsenal's Declan Rice recently disclosed that he voted for Caicedo in his PFA Team of the Year submission. Rice told CBS Sports: "I have a lot of respect for Moises Caicedo. I voted him last year in my PFA Team of the Year. I thought he was outstanding."
Sunday's encounter promises an compelling contest between these two respected midfielders, with their personal duel potentially deciding the outcome of this crucial London derby.
