According to reports, Brighton ‘want more than £100m’ for Ecuador international Moises Caicedo, who is attracting interest from Chelsea and Man Utd.
The centre-midfielder is on the radar of several clubs this summer after Arsenal failed to sign him during the January transfer window.
The Gunners had a couple of bids rejected for Caicedo, who has since penned a new contract which could tie him to Brighton until 2028.
This new deal places Brighton in a strong position and they are able to demand a huge fee for their prized asset, who is admired by Chelsea and Man Utd.
The Telegraph are reporting that Brighton are ‘poised to ask for more than £100 million for Caicedo after a benchmark was set this summer with Declan Rice’s impending move to Arsenal’.
Chelsea are ‘seeking a deal’ for Caicedo but they are ‘unlikely to land him cheaply’, with Brighton hoping to ensure that there will be ‘two nine-figure deals in the Premier League’ this summer.
Rice is set to cost Arsenal an initial £100m (plus £5m extra in add-ons), while Brighton ‘want more than £100m’ for Caicedo.
Man Utd have already signed Mason Mount from Chelsea for £55m so they are unlikely to spend big on another midfielder, with a new striker and defender also being pursued by Erik ten Hag.
But it has been reported this week that Man Utd could use Scott McTominay in a swap deal for Caicedo with Brighton considering the Scotland international as a potential replacement for the Ecuadorian.
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On Chelsea’s interest in Caicedo, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has indicated that the Blues are set to be in “direct contact” with Brighton over the signing.
“Understand Chelsea will continue talks with Brighton for Moises Caicedo next week. Clubs will be in direct contact as negotiations are ongoing,” Romano said.
“Chelsea hope to find a solution soon as personal terms are not an issue, Moises already said yes to Chelsea. Talks on.”
Back in May, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi admitted that Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister (who has signed for Liverpool) could both leave this summer.
“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 in 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.”
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