According to reports, Chelsea are ‘close to agreeing’ a deal for Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo, who has emerged as their top target.
The Blues are in the market for a midfielder who will partner Enzo Fernandez next season and Caicedo has become their main target in this area.
This follows his sensational season for Brighton in 2022/23. He was pursued by Arsenal in January but they have switched their attention to Declan Rice and his £105m move to the Emirates is set to be completed.
Arsenal’s switched focus has left Chelsea leading the race for Caicedo and it is looking increasingly likely that he will end up at Stamford Bridge before the summer transfer window closes.
Football Insider are reporting that ‘Chelsea are confident of securing a deal for Caicedo which will be worth £80million in total’. They add.
‘Caicedo has already agreed personal terms with the Blues and his potential move to Stamford Bridge is now edging closer.
‘The 21-year-old has been a long-term target for the London club and is believed to be keen on the move.
‘Last month (29 June), Football Insider revealed that Chelsea opened official talks with Brighton over the Ecuador international.
‘Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been pushing hard to sign the midfielder and are closing in on an £80m deal following new discussions in the last hours.’
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Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have already completed moves to Chelsea ahead of next season and according to Caught Offside, they are also targeting 19-year-old Lyon winger Rayan Cherki.
The France U21 international grabbed four goals and six assists for Lyon in his 34 appearances in Ligue 1 last season.
Caught Offside are reporting that ‘Chelsea are leading AC Milan in the race for the signing of Cherki, with the Blues now in direct club-to-club talks over the transfer’.
Lyon reportedly want €50m for their prized asset, but ‘Chelsea feel a deal could be done for closer to €40m’.
The Ligue 1 outfit are able to demand a large fee for the teenager, who is under contract until 2025. Unsurprisingly, it is noted that Chelsea are ‘more likely to be able to afford the deal than AC Milan at this stage’.
Mauricio Pochettino was always likely to pursue a new winger this summer following the exits of Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic, who have joined Arsenal and AC Milan respectively. Hakim Ziyech could soon follow his two former teammates out of Chelsea as he is being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
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