Moises Caicedo was one of the biggest stories of the January transfer window as he angled for a move away from Brighton, and we’ve priced up a move in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal were prepared to part with £60m in January to secure the Ecuadorian’s services after a terrific first half of the season, but the Seagulls were unwilling to part with the midfielder part way through the campaign, a decision that’s been vindicated in them securing Europa League football, while Arsenal fell short in the title race.
Caicedo has gone from strength to strength, and while there are lots of clubs targeting midfielders over the summer, it’s a fairly saturated marketplace, with Brighton out to third favourites at 12/5 (were 11/10) in the Moises Caicedo Club on 3rd September 2023 market.
Declan Rice, Manuel Ugarte and Caicedo are all in line for big-money moves in the summer, but Brighton will hope the price tag they can put on the 21-year-old can repel potential buyers.
Arsenal are 15/8 to sign their January target on the back of them losing skipper Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen, but Declan Rice appears to be their number one target, and it’s unlikely the Gunners would spent what would likely be around £150m on two midfielders.
If they were to miss out on Rice, however, who’s reportedly wanted by Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Manchester City, then Caicedo would likely become a stronger target again.
There will be wholesale changes at Stamford Bridge in the summer, both on the pitch and in the dugout, though the club may have to think carefully about where to strengthen.
The squad is already bloated as it is, and they may need to sell before they can buy. Conor Gallagher, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could all leave Chelsea in the summer, and a midfielder to play alongside Enzo Fernandez may suddenly become a bigger priority.
As we’ve seen in January, Caicedo won’t come cheap for any buyers, and Chelsea are new favourites at 11/8 (were 10/3) to secure his signature.
Manchester United have also shown signs they want to strengthen their midfield. Fred had his contract extended by a year, but it’s unlikely he’ll still be at Old Trafford longer than next season. Scott McTominay may be on his way out, and Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are the wrong side of 30.
While Rice has been on the radar, Arsenal are in pole position for the Hammers captain, and though Mason Mount looks to be edging nearer to a move, a more defensive-minded midfielder would be a huge addition to the squad, and United can be backed at 16/1 to sign Caicedo.
Liverpool, too, are looking to strengthen their midfield, but with Alexis Mac Allister seemingly on his way, it feels unlikely the Reds will be in a position to fork out the required fee for Caicedo, and they’re on the market at 20/1.
Club on 03/09/2023 odds:
- Lionel Messi
- Alexis Mac Allister
- Harry Kane
- Declan Rice
- Mason Mount
- Victor Osimhen
- Roberto Firmino
- James Ward-Prowse
- Sadio Mane
- Harry Maguire
- Harvey Barnes
- James Maddison
- Moises Caicedo
View our Summer Transfer Live Blog here.
