Chelsea could face stiff competition for Moises Caicedo’s signature this summer. Brighton have reportedly received a record bid, from an unidentified club, which is said to surpass Chelsea’s recent £80million offer for the player.
That is according to the Athletic, who report that Chelsea are now considering alternative options if they are unable to acquire the Ecuador international’s services. Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is believed to be one of those alternatives.
Brighton are asking for a nine-figure bid for Caicedo if they are to let him go this summer. The Seagulls want a fee in the region of the £105m Arsenal paid for Declan Rice from West Ham last month.
Caicedo is understood to have agreed personal terms with the Blues but his price is becoming a sticking point. The two clubs have a £20m gap in their valuation of the player but are working hard to resolve this.
Meetings are ongoing between both parties with the Times reporting that one was held as recently as last weekend. The report goes on to add that Caicedo and his representatives are keen to handle the matter sensitively out of respect for Brighton.
However, Caicedo is understood to be frustrated by the slow progression of the deal. Brighton rejected bids from Chelsea and Arsenal in January but are open to a sale now if the price is right.
The highest fee the Seagulls have ever received for a player is the £56m Chelsea paid for left-back Marc Cucurella last summer but they want almost double that for Caicedo. Multiple clubs including Liverpool and Manchester United have shown interest in signing the 21-year-old this summer but nothing as serious as Chelsea’s pursuit of the player.
Caicedo wants to move to Stamford Bridge and will attempt to negotiate down Brighton’s staggering asking price as he seeks a move away. That being said, Brighton are in no hurry to sell Caicedo, with the player’s contract not expiring until the summer of 2027 after he signed a new deal earlier this year.