Former West Ham and Everton striker gives his verdict on Moises Caicedo's Instagram post as Arsenal move disintegrates

The Albion midfielder has been a top transfer target for Chelsea and Arsenal in the January transfer window, but the Seagulls have remained adamant the player would not leave the club before the end of the season.

Brighton first declined a verbal £55m bid from Chelsea, before then rejecting two further offers from their Premier League leaders for £60m and £70m respectively.

Having rejected Arsenal's second bid on Friday (January 27), Caicedo posted a statement on Instagram pleading for the club to let him go.

Valencia, who played with Caicedo for Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup, said if he had spoken to the midfielder he would have advised him to not write the message.

Valencia told DeUnaSF: “Yesterday I looked for Moisés's number to talk to him, but I decided to leave him alone. If I had talked to him, I would have told him not to post what he posted.”

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Caicedo, who has won 28 caps for Ecuador, has been given time off by Brighton until the transfer window closes so he can refocus for the second half of the season.

He did not feature in Roberto De Zerbi’s matchday squad for their 2-1 FA Cup victory over Liverpool on Sunday, but is expected to be available for this weekend’s league game at home to Bournemouth.

Arsenal’s signing of Chelsea midfielder Jorginho on deadline day has ended Mikel Arteta’s sides pursuit of the Albion player in this window, but interest is expected to remain high in the summer.