Chris Wheatley Arsenal transfer Q and A: Moises Caicedo update, Declan Rice stance and more

Transfer deadline day is upon us, and Arsenal are still pushing to get deals over the line.

The Gunners have been left frustrated at times during this window, but they have areas they need to strengthen as they chase a Premier League title, and business should get done over the course of deadline day. in the meantime, we have debuted the Chris Wheatley Show to answer some of transfer questions Arsenal fans have.

Here we have the highlights of the show, with Chris answering some of the key deadline day questions. Just a quick note to mention that the show was recorded on Monday afternoon.

Catch up on the latest below...

Caicedo latest

“I think it’s 50/50 at the moment. It’s a difficult deal to do for a couple of reasons. It’s late in the window and Brighton would need a repleacement. They have just signed a young Swedigsh midfielder, but from what I understand, that signing has been in the pipeline for the last three weeks, so that has little to do with Caicedo.

“Arsenal need a central midfielder. Thomas Partey is in contention to be fit for the game against Everton on Saturday, so we are expecting him to be ready, but Mohamed Elneny is out injured and they need a central midfielder. Caicedo is the man they have identified. They have done a lot of scouting, and obviously, he plays in the Premier League, so they have come up against him a few times.

“What’s interesting, though, is that Caicedo has made more international appearances than Premier League appearances. they have already had a bid of £65million plus £5million in add-ons rejected. It’s not clear how much Brighton want, there has been talk of £90million, and it will likely be around that mark.

“Arsenal have already had that improved bid rejected. I think it will be a difficult deal to get done. But his Spanish-based agent is in England at the moment and he is trying to get this deal done. He has two agents and those two are working together trying to get the deal done. But it all depends on Brighton. We all know Tony Bloom is a former Poker player, and he is putting on his best poker face.

“It will be a fantastic deal if Arsenal can get a deal done. It’s a lot of money for a 21-year-old who has made less than 30 Premier League appearances, but Arsenal see him as that man who can help them get that Premier League title, and it would be their first in more than 20 years.”

Caicedo’s stance

”I think right now, there is a major incentive for young players to join Arsenal. They can see what Arteta has done with Martinelli, Saka, Smith Rowe. They can see how they are developing into young stars. I think Caicedo can see the opportunity to develop in the same way. he is the youngest of 10 siblings and we have seen the stories of his parents saving up to buy him football boots as he was growing up in Ecuador. It’s a heartwarming story, but now he is subject to interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, £60million plus bids.

“You can understand why he wants to make it, but releasing statements on social media is never going to go down well, and you can understand why Brighton fans are upset. But they have shown they can move on after players like Yves Bissouma, Leandro trossard...these are big players who have left the club, and they have always managed to compete. We saw what they did against Liverpool and they are more than capable of moving on if he does leave.”

Would Caicedo be a target in the summer?

“Definitely. I don;t think it will change their pursuit of Declan Rice, who they are also interested in. Rice is one of the best players in the Premier League and he would be interested in joining Arsenal, from what we understand. But Caicedo is a very different player, and he would add something completely different for Arsenal.

“Arsenal want him now because they are desperate to secure that premier League title, and with Mohamed Elneny out injured at the moment, they don’t really have any back-up in that position. He is a player they are targeting this month, but they may still go for him in the summer, but they want him now. You can see with how much they have offered, it’s a sign that they really do want him and they are trying to do everything they can to get him.”

Patino’s future

“I think Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Charlie Patino and you saw that when he gave him his debut. he has a lot of talent, and he has been earmarked as a huge talent who is next in line, the next Fabregas or Jack Wilshere.

“He has had a grounding on loan at Blackpool in the Championship, and he scored in their last game. he adds a lot to the midfield. Physically, they want him to improve, but I think he will have a future at Arsenal. A loan move next season would make sense. But like every player, he will be looked at in pre-season, and Mikel Arteta will decide where he stands. We will have to wait to see on that one.”

Ivan Fresneda links

“He shares the same agent as Moises Caicedo, so maybe a double deal could be done. I think it is more likely to be in the summer, but he is a player Arteta likes, being a Spaniard he should be able to fit in well with a squad where there are plenty of Spanish speakers.

“They are looking to replenish those full-back areas in the summer, and they like the look of him.”