According to reports, Chelsea are ‘expected’ to make an improved bid for Moises Caicedo but Brighton are confident that he will remain at the club.
It has felt like only a matter of time before Caicedo leaves Brighton this summer as Chelsea have made him their top summer transfer target.
Arsenal targeted the Ecuador international in January and the Gunners had a couple of bids rejected for the midfielder.
Mikel Arteta’s side ended up signing Jorginho from Chelsea as a cheaper alternative and they have invested a potential total fee of £105m to sign Declan Rice this summer.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Rice has left Chelsea leading the race to sign Caicedo this summer. Their latest bid of around £80m has been turned down as Brighton are holding out for £100m.
The situation was complicated earlier this week as a ‘mystery club’ submitted a rival bid for Caicedo. It was later revealed that it was Liverpool who made this offer.
The Reds have already spent £95m to improve their midfield with the additions of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai and they are now being heavily linked with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.
Further reinforcements are needed following the exits of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, while Chelsea perhaps need Caicedo more as they are short of options in midfield.
Brighton are able to hold firm over their asking price for Caicedo as he is under contract until 2027 and Sky Sports are reporting that they ‘expect him to be at the club when the transfer window closes’.
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As yet, no club have come close to meeting their asking price and ‘they don’t think that situation will change’. The report adds.
‘It emerged on Wednesday an unnamed club approached Brighton about a deal for Caicedo.
‘It’s understood the Seagulls have been impressed by the midfielder’s attitude while speculation about his future intensifies.
‘Chelsea’s latest bid of £80m fell well short of what Brighton are asking for and was rejected immediately by the club.
‘Sky Sports News has been told Brighton are committed to keeping the player and that they do not want to sell. Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear he wants Caicedo to stay.’
Journalist Ben Jacobs has added that Caicedo is “still pushing for a move away” this summer.
“Crucial few days ahead in Chelsea’s pursuit of Moises Caicedo. #CFC haven’t walked away to date despite a lack of progress in negotiations. Fourth bid this summer still deemed likely. Mauricio Pochettino wants a minimum of one senior midfielder, but two could come in,” Jacobs tweeted.
“Brighton sources insist they are planning for the new season with Caicedo, and that he’s expected to be at the club when the window shuts. But Caicedo himself is still pushing for a move away.”
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