Sources: Brighton could accept new Arsenal Moises Caicedo bid as they close in on replacement
Brighton could accept a new Arsenal bid for Moises Caicedo if they can strike an agreement with RB Leipzig for Amadou Haidara, sources have told Football Insider.
The Gunners are stepping up their push for the Seagulls midfielder, 21, after he publicly begged Brighton to let him go by Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Brighton have lined up Haidara, 24, to replace Caicedo and he has a release clause in his contract that can be triggered in the summer.
Leipzig had been unwilling to let Haidara go this month but their stance could change if Brighton increase their offer amid growing doubts Caicedo will now stay.
Brighton have privately insisted that the Ecuador international is not for sale and he has reportedly been told to stay away from the club until the transfer window shuts.
Caicedo is not in the squad for Sunday's FA Cup clash against Liverpool and there is now a growing sense he has played his last game for the club.
Football Insider revealed earlier on Saturday that Arsenal were ready to submit a new offer for Caicedo of £65m after having a £60m bid rejected.
That would secure a club-record fee for Brighton and would come on top of the £21m fee rising to £27m secured from the Gunners for Leandro Trossard last week.
Mikel Arteta has made it clear to the Arsenal hierarchy he wants to bring in a new central midfielder who can instantly slot into his starting XI.
This comes at a time when Thomas Partey was injured in Friday's FA Cup defeat to Man City and taken off at half-time.
Chelsea have also expressed an interest in Caicedo, who Brighton bought for £4.5m from Independiente del Valle in Ecuador two years ago.
Caicedo said on on his social media accounts he was "proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton" but did not specify which club he wanted to join.
As quoted by Sky Sports (27 January), Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he is on the lookout for a midfield addition in the final days of the transfer window.