Brighton and Ecuadorian star Moises Caicedo has shockingly deleted his Instagram handle after his failed bid to push for Arsenal move.
The Ecuadorian midfield sensation was a top transfer target for Mikel Arteta, who had hoped to seal a deal with the Seagulls to sign the player.
Caicedo would have been the second Brighton player to exit the Amex Stadium to Emirates after Arsenal sealed a deal with Brighton by signing Leandro Trossard for £23.20m on a four-year contract.
Chelsea were equally interested in Moises Caicedo and had submitted a £55m bid for the player which was rejected by Brighton.
Arsenal joined the race to sign Caicedo submitting a £60m first bid for the player which was rejected by the club. The London club then increased the bid to £70m and was again turned down.
Brighton did not budge in their “no-sale” decision and had intended to keep the player.
After Arsenal’s second was rejected, Moises Caicedo opened a Pandora Box taking matters into his hands.
He went ranting on his Instagram handle, asking to leave the club amidst interest from the big Premier League clubs.
Thanking Brighton’s chairman Tony Bloom for bringing him to the Premier League, Caicedo said he has given all to the club, including a record transfer fee.
He reiterated his humble background and enduring passion to become the most decorated Ecuadorian player in history. Caicedo ended his plea by asking to leave the club.
“I am grateful to Mr. [Tony] Bloom and Brighton for giving me the chance to come to the Premier League and I feel I have always done my best for them. I always play football with a smile and with heart.
“I am the youngest of 10 siblings from a poor upbringing in Santa Domingo in Ecuador. My dream always to be the most decorated player in the history of Ecuador.
“I am proud to be able to bring in a record transfer fee for Brighton which would allow them to reinvest it and help the club continue to be successful.
“The fans have taken me into their hearts and they will always be in my heart so I hope they can understand why I want to take up this magnificent opportunity.”
Caicedo’s Instagram rant was met with fury and force by Brighton’s hierarchy. The club placed him on a temporary ban with Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi axing him from the squad.
Meanwhile, following Brighton’s unswerving stand, Arsenal backed off the deal as the transfer window winds down.
The Gunners then made a shock transfer swoop on deadline day signing former Chelsea midfield maestro and Italian playmaker Jorginho.
Jorginho’s signing ended Moises Caicedo’s prospective move to the Gunners with Brighton keeping the 24-year-old.
The unsavory end to Moises Caicedo’s push for Arsenal move must have affected the player.
According to The Sun, Moises Caicedo has deleted his ‘moises_caicedo55’ Instagram account after the failed push for Brighton exit.
Apparently, his decision to delete the account is not far from the failed push for Brighton’s exit.
Caicedo returned to the Seagulls’ starting lineup after the transfer saga. He has made 21 Premier League appearances for the club and has scored one goal and an assist so far this season.