Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo has reportedly ‘agreed terms’ with Chelsea ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge.
Caicedo has emerged as one of the best young players in the Premier League and he enjoyed a brilliant season for Brighton in 2022/23.
The defensive midfielder was vital as the Seagulls managed to finish sixth in the Premier League and he also impressed for Ecuador at last year’s World Cup.
Arsenal pushed to sign Caicedo during the January transfer window and they had a couple of bids rejected for the 21-year-old. The Gunners ended up signing Jorginho as a cheaper alternative, while Caicedo signed a new contract which runs until 2027.
This strengthened Brighton’s position ahead of this summer transfer window but they are still expected to sell their prized asset.
When asked about Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi admitted last month that the two midfielders “deserve to play at another level”.
“It can be the last game but I don’t know,” said the Brighton head coach.
“They can have the possibility to change (clubs) because they deserve to play at another level.
“But now we can offer them the possibility to play in Europe because our level is bigger now. We can offer them one possibility more.”
With Arsenal prioritising a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice, Chelsea are swooping to sign Caicedo and they are now the ‘frontrunners’ to get him.
Football Insider are reporting that ‘Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Brighton midfielder Caicedo after agreeing personal terms’. They add.
‘Negotiations are continuing between the Londoners and Brighton over the fee for the 21-year-old, with his current employers holding out for their £80million asking price.
‘Confidence is rising at Stamford Bridge the they will land one of their primary targets as the Ecuador international is open to the move and to play under Mauricio Pochettino.
‘Conor Gallagher is one player who Brighton like and will leave this summer. But it’s understood he has not yet come up in discussion over Caicedo as the London side would prefer a cash sale for their home-grown talent.’
READ MORE: All the Premier League completed transfers in the summer window of 2023
Sky Germany (via Sport Witness) are saying that Chelsea are in the ‘final negotiations’ with Brighton over Caicedo.
Bayern Munich have also been linked with him but they have been ‘informed’ that he will not be moving to Germany.
Instead, the centre-midfielder has ‘decided to move’ to Chelsea and it is expected that this deal will be completed in the coming days/weeks.
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