Arsenal’s pursuit for an England midfielder isn’t set to stop despite their recent links, as Brighton’s wantaway midfielder has reportedly been told to steer clear of the club’s training ground until the January window is over.
Elsewhere, Roma boss Jose Mourinho was left fuming as one of his players turned down the chance to make a $AUD45m Premier League switch.
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Jets fly high over Roar | 01:04
RACE FOR RICE SET TO HEAT UP
Arsenal aren’t showing any signs of slowing down when it comes to their spending spree.
The Gunners’ pursuit of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo is well-publicised, but it won’t stop Mikel Arteta from pushing to sign another midfielder in the coming months.
According to The Telegraph, Arsenal will resume its efforts to sign West Ham United skipper Declan Rice in the summer as Arteta looks to strengthen his squad even further.
The report states Rice is the team’s top target for the upcoming transfer window, with a recent injury to Mohamed Elneny and questions over the long-term future of Albert Sambi Lokonga heightening the need for midfield reinforcements.
Rice will certainly not come cheap, with the Hammers reportedly slapping a $174m price tag on their talisman.
MOISES’ MOVE TAKES FRESH TWIST
Brighton star Moises Caicedo sent shockwaves throughout Sussex when he posted a transfer request on Instagram on Saturday (AEDT) amid bids from Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and Arsenal.
Chelsea were the first to make a play, but it was rejected out of hand by Brighton.
However, Arsenal’s $104m bid for Caicedo — also rejected by the Seagulls — has turned the Ecuadorean’s head as he revealed he wants to “take up this magnificent opportunity.”
It now appears Brighton are set to dig their heels in, as The Times reports the club has told the 21-year-old to stay away from the club until the transfer window is over.
Arsenal have also made an improved bid for the midfielder, offering a reported $121m for Caicedo.
The star did not show up to train on the day he posted his transfer request and won’t be in contention for Brighton’s FA Cup fixture against Liverpool at the Amex Stadium.
JOSE FUMES AS STAR REJECTS $45M PL SWITCH
Roma star Nicolo Zaniolo will not play in his team’s clash at Serie A leaders Napoli after a bitter transfer row in which he turned down a move to Bournemouth, coach Jose Mourinho said on Saturday.
Italy international Zaniolo refused to be selected for last weekend’s win at Spezia but this time it is Mourinho and the club who have dumped the 23-year-old as Roma attempt to slow rivals Napoli’s march to a first league title in more than three decades.
Widespread reports in Italy say that Roma are furious with Zaniolo for refusing a 30-million-euro ($32.6 million) move to Bournemouth after talks between the capital club and AC Milan broke down in the week, not even meeting representatives of the Premier League club who travelled to Italy to strike a deal.
Mourinho had said after the Spezia win that he believed Zaniolo would still be at Champions League-chasing Roma after the winter transfer window closed.
“Unfortunately it looks like I was right,” he said on Saturday.
“I say unfortunately because for a month the player has been saying that he wants to go,” Mourinho told reporters.
“When a player says to the coach, club and teammates: ‘I don’t want to play for Roma, I don’t want to wear the Roma shirt, I don’t want to train with my teammates … I want happy players who allow other players to be happy.
“He is not available, he is not part of the project.” Zaniolo had already been considered one of Italy’s brightest young talents when he burst onto the scene with Roma as a teenager, but his early career was severely harmed by serious injuries to both knees.
He fought back last season and under Mourinho was key to Roma’s Conference League triumph, scoring the winning goal in the final against Feyenoord to secure their first ever major European trophy.
But now he wants to go after a poor campaign in the Eternal City in which he has been overshadowed by Paulo Dybala as the clear star of Mourinho’s team.
Neither club nor player have any intention of extending a contract which expires in June next year, leaving Zaniolo potentially sidelined for months before a deal to leave in the summer can be arranged.
