Arsenal see £60m bid for Brighton midfielder Caicedo rejected as Gunners enter another transfer battle with Chelsea

• Ecuadorian star attracting interest
• Blues keen at Stamford Bridge
• Premier League leaders in the mix

WHAT HAPPENED? The Ecuador international, who continues to star for the Seagulls, has been heavily linked with a number of Premier League clubs after proving himself in the English top flight and while representing his country at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Chelsea were considered to be leading the race for his signature at one stage, with a £55m ($68m) offer from Stamford Bridge being knocked back, but Fabrizio Romano claims that Arsenal have now joined the hunt with a big-money approach of their own. The Athletic reports that said approach has been snubbed, with the ball being passed back into the Gunners' court.

AND WHAT'S MORE: Arsenal have already lost out to Chelsea in the January window when it comes to deals for Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk, with both men ending up in west London rather than the north of the English capital, and another heavyweight battle could be on the cards for 21-year-old star Caicedo.

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WHAT NEXT? Brighton have stated their intention to fend off any interest shown in Caicedo during the mid-season window, but Arsenal are eager to reinforce their engine room during a Premier League title bid and are prepared to push for a deal that will test the resolve of their domestic rivals.