Is this Brighton’s Caicedo replacement? Seagulls confirm the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Yasin Ayari from Swedish side AIK, as Arsenal see an improved £70m offer for the in-demand Ecuadorian REJECTED
Brighton have announced the signing of 19-year-old Yasin Ayari from AIK, as they look to strengthen in midfield amid interest in Moises Caicedo.
The fee is believed to be around £5million, and the club’s announcement said the deal is still ‘subject to international clearance’.
Despite his youth, Ayari has already racked up 48 appearances in Swedish football and scored six goals.
Brighton brought in 19-year-old midfielder Yasin Ayari from Swedish outfit AIK on Monday
He has also broken into the Swedish national team and made two appearances for the senior side this year after representing his nation at several junior levels.
The move may encourage Arsenal, who have had a £70m bid rejected for Brighton’s Caicedo despite Sportsmail revealing last week that the 21-year-old was desperate for a move away.
Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi said he would like Caicedo to stay until the season’s end but added that they were ‘ready to go forward without him’ if needed.
The deal comes as Arsenal continue to chase the Seagulls’ Ecuadorian star Moises Caicedo
Ayari’s arrival may be an attempt to provide cover in case the highly-rated Ecuadorian does leave before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
In a statement on the new signing released on Brighton’s official website, technical director David Weir said: ‘Yasin is a versatile and technical midfield player, who is good on the ball and capable of playing across the midfield.
‘He’s had an impressive spell in Sweden with AIK, and we are delighted to have completed his transfer and to be welcoming him to the club.
‘He will need time to settle here and acclimatise to the Premier League, but we are really looking forward to working with him.’
The Seagulls are next in action when they face Bournemouth on Saturday, as De Zerbi’s side look to kick on after an excellent first half of the season that has seen them reach sixth in the Premier League, and qualify for the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Brighton’s Technical director David Weir called Ayari a ‘versatile and technical midfield player’
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