Transfer Talk: Bright spark Caicedo will be hot property this summer

There is set to be a bidding war for Moises Caicedo this summer.

The 21-year-old was the subject of a number of offers from Arsenal in January but Brighton refused to part with their man.

He has continued to impress in the Seagulls' midfield, so interest in his services is unlikely to have waned.

As the Gunners welcome Caicedo and his team-mates to the Emirates this afternoon, they will surely be observing him closely and will not be alone in doing so.

No limit

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi believes Caicedo has the potential to develop into an elite player.

He said: "Caicedo for me could become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and in Europe.

"Caicedo is a top player with and without the ball. There are many players who are very good with the ball but without it in defensive spaces are not so good.

"Others in the defensive space are top but with the ball, there are some problems. With Caicedo, I don't see anything not at the top level.

"He is very young, so he can learn and improve more. He has no limit."

Midfield destroyer

Caicedo is a combative presence in midfield, often taking on the lion's share of Brighton's defensive responsibilities.

Ahead of this weekend, only Fulham's Joao Palhinha had made more tackles in the Premier League than the Ecuadorian's 93, while his 47 tackles won and 122 possession regains in the middle third both ranked inside the division's top five.

The latter statistic in particular demonstrates his capacity to operate within a high-pressing, possession-based system.

Brighton's maestro

Caicedo possesses real quality with the ball, as well as without it.

Prior to Matchday 36, only three players have completed more passes into the opposition half than the 30-cap international [950] in the Premier League.

The South American does not play a high volume of safe passes — he regularly finds team-mates in dangerous positions.

Contract extension

Despite expressing his desire to leave the club in January, Caicedo penned fresh terms in March and De Zerbi believes remaining on the South Coast was important for the midfielder's development — though he did not rule out a summer departure.

He said: "I told him what my opinion was. I spoke with him about my vision — but not for my interest or for the club but for his.

"For him, it was important to stay at least another six months, I hope another few years. But first to finish this season with his team-mates and the club."

Arsenal audition

As Caicedo lines up against Arsenal at the Emirates, many will wonder how different this season would look if he was on the opposite side.

The Gunners were forced to move for a short-term solution in Jorginho after failing to land their man and their title tilt has faltered, while the Seagulls have continued to soar towards the division's European places.

Adding the Italy international is unlikely to have ended Mikel Arteta's interest, though — his current holding midfield options are all 29 or older.

If Caicedo impresses this afternoon, Arsenal are all the more likely to revisit their transfer target.