Chelsea are hoping to sign Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo this summer, but their latest bid has been rejected.
Chelsea are looking to bring in a quality replacement for N’Golo Kante, and Moises Caicedo has been identified as a target. However, a report from 90min claims that Chelsea have now failed with an £80 million bid for the 21-year-old.
Brighton could look to demand the premium for the Ecuadorian international. So it remains to be seen whether Chelsea are ready to shell out more money on the player after the failure of the £80 million bid.
Apparently, Brighton are valuing the player at a similar level as Declan Rice, who completed a British transfer record move to Arsenal earlier this summer. Chelsea paid a similar amount for Enzo Fernandez during the January transfer window. And the Blues might have to break the bank once again if they want to land the Brighton midfielder.
The 21-year-old has established himself as a key player for Brighton, and he is certainly one of the most promising young midfielders in the Premier League. Caicedo has the attributes to develop into a world-class player, and Chelsea would certainly benefit from having someone like him at their disposal.
EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea have submitted new bid for Moisés Caicedo in the last 24 hours. 🚨🔵 #CFC
Understand Chelsea new proposal was £80m (€93m in Euros) — and it was immediately rejected by Brighton. ⛔️ #BHAFC
Negotiations remain ongoing but no agreement at this stage. pic.twitter.com/NNk1Cg7CdY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2023
They have already sanctioned the departures of key players like N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic this summer. They will have to replace them adequately if they want to do well next season and push for a place in the UEFA Champions League.
Caicedo could form a solid partnership with Enzo Fernandez at the heart of Chelsea’s midfield, and Pochettino could help the 21-year-old develop further. The Argentine manager has done well to nurture talented young players throughout his managerial career, and he could help the Ecuadorian international fulfill his tremendous potential.
The opportunity to play for a club like Chelsea will be an attractive option for the midfielder, and he will find it hard to turn down. It will be interesting to see if he decides to force a move away from Brighton as the window progresses. Reports have already claimed that the two parties have agreed personal terms.
The player publicly admitted his desire to leave Brighton during the January transfer window when Arsenal were keen on signing him. Chelsea had a disappointing 2022/23 campaign, and they will be desperate to bounce back. Signing the right players this summer should be a top priority, and Caicedo would certainly fit them like a glove.
