The Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo has signed a new contract with the Premier League club until 2027, having asked to leave in the January transfer window. The Seagulls also have an option for an extra year on Caicedo, who attracted two bids from Arsenal in January and was also a reported target for Chelsea. That led the Ecuador international to request a move in a statement posted on social media, but the club held firm and Caicedo stayed put. “This is fantastic news for the club, our fans, for me and most importantly for Moises,” said the Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi. “It will make us stronger as we move forward towards our targets on the pitch.” Caicedo joined Brighton from the Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle in February 2021, spending the first part of the following season on loan with Beerschot in Belgium. The 21-year-old has made a big impact at the Amex Stadium since making his Premier League debut last April. Brighton can boost their hopes of European qualification with a home win over West Ham on Saturday, but De Zerbi will be absent from the dugout after receiving a one-match touchline ban. The Italian was shown a red card in the tunnel by the referee, Darren England, following the 1-0 home defeat to Fulham in February. De Zerbi, who has also been fined £15,000 by the Football Association, said of England afterwards: “I think he’s not a good level of referee. But I think the referees in the Premier League are not enough for this very important league.” Andrea Maldera, the Brighton assistant manager, will take over touchline duties this weekend as the Seagulls try to claim a first win in three league games. Pervis Estupiñán and Solly March, who both missed the midweek FA Cup win over Stoke, are available again, but Levi Colwill is not yet quite ready to return. “The players know very well what they have to do,” said De Zerbi. “I am lucky to be a coach of this squad. It is not a big problem if I stay or not on the bench. It’s a problem for me because my life is to stay on the bench, not to stay on the stand.” Although he accepted the charge, De Zerbi maintained his belief he had not done anything wrong, saying: “It’s good because it’s finished and we start again. I’m used to living in football for 30 years. I have to accept the decisions even if I don’t think they are right. “For me it’s not a problem, the problem is to win the game tomorrow,” he added. “But I consider it not the right decision. I think I can’t change and I think I didn’t make mistakes in terms of respect or bad words, but I prefer staying in my place – and my place is on the bench.”