Moisés Caicedo has reflected on how close he came to joining Arsenal in early 2023, revealing that Brighton rejected a £60 million offer from the Gunners. Despite the strong interest, Caicedo ultimately waited for Chelsea, who signed him in the summer for a British record of £115 million.
He said he is happy with how it all played out in a post shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account. Chelsea’s rise has been remarkable, highlighted by their stunning 3-0 Champions League win over Barcelona, which SoftFootball covered.
Check the post below:
Caicedo explained that his decision to join Chelsea was based on the club’s ambition and long-term vision. He acknowledged criticism after a challenging first season in west London.
He said:
People laughed. They said I chose the wrong place, but sometimes you need time to adapt to a big team. I needed that.
He expressed gratitude for the faith the club showed him.
He said:
I want to give everything to this club because they didn’t doubt me.
SoftFootball recently highlighted his development under Enzo Maresca, with the Italian manager describing him as one of the world’s best midfielders. For Caicedo, the move was not just about joining a big club, but it was about winning trophies and being part of a project that matched his ambitions.
It was not just Arsenal who missed out. Liverpool also agreed an £111 million deal with Brighton, but the Ecuadorian midfielder made it clear he wanted Chelsea. This underscores how deliberate Caicedo has been in shaping his career, prioritising fit and opportunity over immediate offers.
As Chelsea prepare for a high-stakes clash with Arsenal, he remains confident, saying,
They are doing really well, but we haven’t faced them yet.
SoftFootball also reported on his impact in recent key matches, like the thrilling win over Liverpool. Caicedo has clearly found his place, becoming a cornerstone of Chelsea’s resurgence.
