Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo has reportedly given Chelsea the ‘green light’ to sign him ahead of Premier League rivals Arsenal.
The Ecuador international was targeted by Arsenal during the January transfer window and the Londoners had a couple of bids rejected for the midfielder. This followed his emergence as one of the best young players in the Premier League.
Caicedo was keen to sign for Arsenal in January but he has since signed a contract extension which extends his Brighton deal until 2027.
The Seagulls are still conceding that he is likely to leave this summer amid interest from several Premier League teams.
Arsenal were expected to renew their interest in Caicedo but with Declan Rice at the top of their transfer wishlist, Football Insider are reporting that they have ‘pulled out of the race’ for the Brighton standout.
As for Chelsea, they are ‘keen to get the Caicedo deal over the line and will push on with the deal once outgoings are secured’.
Caicedo has already ‘verbally agreed’ to sign for Chelsea and he has given them the ‘green light’ to buy him this summer.
Chelsea are said to face competition from Man City for Caicedo but the London outfit are in a ‘comfortable position’ and they are ‘confident’ of signing him.
Another report from Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke claims Chelsea could look to include Conor Gallagher in a swap deal for Caicedo, who is valued at around £85m.
‘I’m told Conor Gallagher has been the subject of long-standing interest from Brighton, and the Londoners could be willing to include him in any potential deal,’ O’Rouke wrote.
‘Brighton see Gallagher as a ready-made replacement for Alexis Mac Allister following his move to Liverpool.
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‘Several other clubs, including Newcastle and Tottenham, are monitoring his situation. A swap for Caicedo won’t be an easy deal to do – but it could be key in Chelsea landing their man.
‘Sources say Brighton are keen to get £80-85million for the Ecuador international – although they will monitor Declan Rice’s final sale price with interest.
On Nicolas Jackson, O’Rouke added: ‘Chelsea are 90% done with their move to sign Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson, I’m told.
‘The deal is very advanced, with personal terms already agreed – meaning the Londoners are ready to meet his release clause of around £34million.
‘Pochettino has green-lit the transfer with the club seeing him as a potential superstar in the making after his scintillating end to the 2022-23 La Liga campaign.’
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