According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are actively searching for a midfielder and are reportedly preparing to express their interest in signing Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
The club is said to be receiving positive indications that Caicedo would be willing to join if an agreement can be reached between the two teams. It is anticipated that negotiating personal terms with the player would not pose a challenge.
Chelsea had previously shown interest in signing Caicedo during the January transfer window. However, the 21-year-old Ecuadorian international chose to sign a new contract with Brighton instead.
He played a significant role in helping Brighton achieve a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, securing European qualification for the club for the first time in their history.
Chelsea have already reached an agreement on personal terms with Caicedo and only needs to negotiate a transfer fee with Brighton to finalize his arrival.
Chelsea and Brighton are working on Moisés Caicedo deal. Negotiations are by direct talks club to club, as revealed last week. 🔵🇪🇨 #CFC
Caicedo said yes to Chelsea months ago and deal up to clubs. Talks on.
‘Quiet’ in public but concrete behind the scenes; it still takes time. pic.twitter.com/6Q7dtsIG7b
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 5, 2023
Chelsea were aiming to offer an initial fee of £70 million, with an additional £10 million in potential add-ons. However, Brighton are reportedly seeking a fee exceeding £80 million for the midfielder.
The 21-year-old is known for his versatility on the field, but his exceptional off-the-ball abilities make him particularly valuable. This means that the midfielder could potentially play as a defensive midfielder, allowing Enzo Fernandez to push forward.
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The Blues have already confirmed the signings of Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, and Kendry Paez for the upcoming season, but they are expected to make further additions to strengthen the squad.
The departures of Jorginho in January, followed by N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer, have left a void in the midfield. Additionally, Mason Mount’s move to Manchester United for £60 million has been officially confirmed.
With numerous players leaving, Chelsea are in need of new faces to enhance their options.
Currently, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, and Carney Chukwuemeka are the only remaining first-team midfielders. This is where the potential move for Caicedo comes into play.
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Brighton had previously sold Alex Mac Allister to Liverpool this summer, generating a significant sum of money.
Negotiations between Chelsea and Brighton regarding Caicedo are reportedly progressing positively, with discussions focusing on the structure of the transfer fee payments.
