Moises Caicedo admits he was really close to joining Arsenal, a team he likes and wants to win the Premier League this season.

Arsenal made a serious move for Moises Caicedo in the January transfer window, submitting two major bids of £60m and £70m for the Brighton midfielder without success.

Caicedo himself tried to push for the move, releasing a statement to the media, but Brighton refused to entertain a negotiation and the Gunners moved onto Jorginho in the final days of the month.

Speaking to the media about that time, Caicedo insists a move wasn’t that far off, and he’s a big fan of the way Arsenal are currently operating.

“I was really close to going,” Caicedo said. “I suffered a lot.

“At the beginning when I didn’t end up going, lots of people would make fun of me on Instagram. People treated me badly. I didn’t check my social media because it would hurt me to see things.

“I’d seen a lot of Arsenal before knowing that there was a possibility of me signing for them. I watched them and I liked them because they have very young, talented players and some stars but they always have that mindset of wanting more.

As for whether he now wants Mikel Arteta’s side to win the league, Caicedo didn’t shy away from the question.

“Of course,” Caicedo responded. “I hope so, but let’s see.”

Since the January window, Caicedo has signed a new contract with Brighton, but that’s not expected to prevent a summer move entirely.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi reportedly told Caicedo that Arsenal’s January move wouldn’t be the last time a club would come in for him, and he’d get more opportunities in the future.

Perhaps the Gunners could yet return for him later this year.

Yet Arsenal generally haven’t been listed among the primary contenders for Caicedo’s signature since January.

They were clearly the favourites to sign him in the winter window, but they appear to have turned their attention to West Ham United’s Declan Rice. All the same, it’s one to keep an eye on.