Brighton have rejected a £60million bid from Arsenal for midfielder Moises Caicedo.
The Premier League leaders are keen to strengthen their squad after Mohamed Elneny picked up an injury in training which could mean a long layoff.
Arsenal already have a small squad and manager Mikel Arteta is unwilling to jeopardize his side’s title challenge for lack of numbers.
Brighton would have already turned down a £55million offer by Chelsea for Caicedo, 21.
The Seagulls sold Marc Cucurella to Chelsea in a deal worth £60m, Yves Bissouma to Tottenham for £25m plus add-ons and Neal Maupay to Everton for £15m. pounds sterling this summer.
Earlier this month, Leandro Trossard left to join Arsenal for an initial fee of £21million and Brighton have no financial reason to sell Caicedo.
Given they are currently sixth in the table, with the potential to move up to fifth if they win their two games in hand over Tottenham, they are also not keen on selling the Ecuador international.
Caicedo has made 26 Premier League appearances, scoring twice and is under contract until 2025.
Arsenal are expected to return with another offer, but it remains to be seen whether Caicedo, who recently changed agents, will try to force his way out of the club before the window closes on Tuesday night.
“I’m focused on Brighton” Caicedo recently said. “I’m here, I play every day. Things from outside don’t bother me, and it doesn’t take that focus away from me because I only focus on here.
“I manipulate [the speculation] good. You hear rumors here and there, but I’m just trying to focus on the club.”
Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi said last week he was unperturbed by rival clubs surrounding his best players.
“Caicedo is very important to us – I hope he finishes the season with us,” said the Italian.
“It’s always difficult to be certain, but when the big teams want our players, that’s good news for us.
“The best solution is for him to finish the season with us. If he continues to play like this in the last games, it’s possible that in the summer he could leave for another team.”
