EPL

Caicedo urged to stay at Brighton by De Zerbi after reported £60m Arsenal bid

By Sports Desk January 27, 2023

Roberto De Zerbi feels it would be in Moises Caicedo's best interests to stay at Brighton and Hove Albion until the end of the season after Arsenal reportedly failed with a big-money bid for the midfielder.

The Gunners are said to have tabled a £60million offer for Caicedo, but the Seagulls are eager to ensure the 21-year-old is still at the club when the transfer window closes next Tuesday.

Chelsea are also keen on the Ecuador international and had a bid of their own turned down last week.

The Seagulls have already lost Leandro Trossard to Premier League leaders Arsenal last week after the Belgium winger fell out with De Zerbi.

Seagulls head coach De Zerbi has urged the in-demand Caicedo to remain at the Amex Stadium – for the time being at least.

The Italian said: "I think he's [Caicedo] a good guy. He's focused only on Brighton. I hope he can stay with us until the end of the season because, in my opinion, it's the best solution for him and us. 

"I can understand the other big teams want our young players – [Alexis] Mac Allister, Caicedo, [Kaoru] Mitoma, [Solly] March – but the decision is for the players and the club.

"I spoke with him on Wednesday and I told him my opinion.

"I think it's always difficult to change inside the season because you can find more problems. It is important to stay another four months."

Quizzed about his conversations with Caicedo, De Zerbi added: "He's relaxed. He’s a good guy. I spoke with him like a father, not like a coach.

"I understand when one player has the possibility to change teams and go to a very big team, but my work is to give the style of play and also advice for his career and his life."

Related items

  • Duncan Watmore scores against former club as Millwall edge past Sunderland Duncan Watmore scores against former club as Millwall edge past Sunderland

    Millwall effectively secured Sky Bet Championship football next season after former Sunderland forward Duncan Watmore’s second-half strike at the Stadium of Light earned a 1-0 win.

    In a game of few chances, Watmore, who had only been on the pitch four minutes, pounced to deliver the crucial goal that earned the Lions a third successive win.

    Sunderland, however, saw their own winless run on home soil extended to six matches dating back to February 10.

    The hosts threatened first and Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic had to get down low to hold a drive from teenager Chris Rigg after he danced his way through the visiting defence.

    Bradley Dack then created a couple of openings for Dan Ballard with some pinpoint deliveries but neither found the target.

    Jobe Bellingham headed over another corner kick when he looked like he could at least test the Sarkic, but Millwall survived.

    The Lions were struggling to create anything until former Sunderland midfielder George Honeyman’s set-piece was headed off target by Zian Flemming.

    In a bid to improve things, Sunderland’s interim boss Mike Dodds pushed Bellingham up front for the second half as part of the changes brought about by replacing Dack with Trai Hume.

    And Hume, operating at right wing-back, had the first effort after the restart when he drove a couple of feet over Sarkic’s bar from 22 yards.

    In another attempt to lift the tempo by Dodds, Abdoullah Ba and Adil Aouchiche were brought on for the last half an hour.

    Soon after that Sunderland thought they had the lead when Ryan Leonard somehow got in the way to block Callum Styles’ goalbound effort from Ba’s cross.

    And in the 71st minute Millwall made the hosts pay when Ryan Longman’s low cross from the right was met by substitute Watmore, who had darted ahead of his markers to flick inside Anthony Patterson’s near post.

    Bellingham almost deflected Brooke Norton-Cuffy’s cross into his own net in stoppage time but Millwall had already done enough to secure a vital three points.

  • Wigan are party poopers as champions Portsmouth slip to home defeat Wigan are party poopers as champions Portsmouth slip to home defeat

    Luke Chambers and Josh Magennis spoilt Portsmouth’s Sky Bet League One promotion party as Wigan beat the newly-crowned champions 2-1 at Fratton Park.

    Pompey almost took the lead after six minutes when a poor backpass was intercepted by Colby Bishop, who tried to chip stranded goalkeeper Sam Tickle but put it well wide.

    Wigan’s Jonny Smith hit a post in the 13th minute, but the visitors took the lead 10 minutes later when Chambers put the loose ball past Pompey goalkeeper Will Norris.

    Latics should have gone two-up just before half-time as Norris parried Charlie Kelman’s powerful shot but Chambers put the follow-up wide.

    Despite half-time substitutions, Pompey struggled to claw their way back into the game and Wigan looked to have sealed the win when Magennis beat Norris with seven minutes to go.

    Kusini Yengi pulled one back for Pompey, but despite piling on the pressure in stoppage time they could not secure a 28th victory of the season.

  • Queen’s Park remain in danger zone after goalless draw at Dunfermline Queen’s Park remain in danger zone after goalless draw at Dunfermline

    Dunfermline and Queen’s Park played out a goalless draw to leave the visitors a point adrift of cinch Scottish Championship safety.

    Spiders keeper Calum Ferrie found himself in the thick of the action early on, punching clear from Lewis McCann and then blocking Chris Kane’s effort at point-blank range.

    McCann headed wide from a Malachi Fagan-Walcott cross and the latter picked out Ferrie with another attempt as the home side finished the first half strongly.

    Stuart McKinstry forced a 62nd-minute save from Athletic keeper Deniz Mehmet but, although Chris Hamilton and Kane both went close with late headers for the hosts, the game ended in stalemate.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.