Chelsea are set to make a fresh offer for Moises Caicedo this week after initial negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion fell short.
The Evening Standard reports that the Blues have prepared an improved bid of over £70 million for the 21-year-old midfielder.
However, even with the improved offer, it falls significantly short of Brighton’s astronomical asking price of £100 million for their highly-valued player.
Brighton had previously rejected a similar approach from Arsenal during the January transfer window, and it is unlikely that their stance will change this summer.
The Seagulls, using Declan Rice’s record-breaking £105 million transfer to Arsenal as a reference point, are firm on their demands and unwilling to lower their asking price for Caicedo.
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Despite Alexis Mac Allister’s departure to Liverpool, Brighton would prefer to retain their talented midfielder at the Amex Stadium, although they have stated that they will not stand in his way if he decides to leave.
Understand Chelsea will improve their bid for Moisés Caicedo this week, as revealed yesterday 🇪🇨
It's not about official bids as Chelsea-Brighton are discussing directly club to club; but proposal will be improved, more than £70m fixed.
Chelsea hope to get it done this week. pic.twitter.com/3tpyyKrAT6
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2023
Chelsea and Brighton are still in disagreement regarding Caicedo’s valuation, but Mauricio Pochettino views the Ecuadorian as a key summer signing.
While the Blues hopes for a discounted deal, they may have no choice but to meet Brighton’s demands, as they are in dire need of midfield reinforcements after losing four key first-team players.
Stamford Bridge has witnessed the departures of N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the summer, which has left Pochettino with a shortage of reliable midfield options.
Although Caicedo is a potential solution, Chelsea faces competition from Liverpool in securing the Ecuadorian midfielder’s signature. Liverpool’s interest have heightened due to uncertainties surrounding the futures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
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However, Chelsea remains in the lead for the South American’s signing, as the player himself has expressed a strong desire to work under Pochettino.
In addition to Caicedo, the Blues are exploring two other options to reinforce their midfield. They are considering Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia as potential targets for bolstering their midfield unit.
