Stan Collymore thinks Liverpool should spend big to sign Moises Caicedo of Brighton before Chelsea does.
Following the departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita this summer, the Reds have already signed two central midfielders. In an effort to revamp his midfield after a disappointing 2022–23 season, Jurgen Klopp has brought in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
But because some of its first-team talents are drawing attention, Liverpool may need to return to the transfer market for more reinforcements. While captain Jordan Henderson has received an opportunity to join Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq, Al-Hilal has made Fabinho a £40 million bid.
Liverpool may have a problem if Fabinho leaves for Saudi Arabia as is inevitable. According to the Evening Standard, Caicedo will be the target of a £70 million offer from Mauricio Pochettino’s team this week. Former Reds player Collymore believes they might fight with Chelsea for his services.
For Fabinho’s replacement, Collymore suggested that Liverpool spend lavishly on Moises Caicedo of Brighton and Boubacar Kamara of Aston Villa, though it may be too soon for him at this point. Kamara was exceptional at times last season, and I don’t believe Aston Villa will be motivated to sell him this summer.
“Caicedo would be my choice if they’re searching for a defensive midfielder who can play for them for the next four to five years. It would be ideal to put him up with Mac Allister, a former teammate from Brighton, as they had great success together the previous season. In either case, Liverpool still needs to add a man to their midfield.
Caicedo has made it obvious that this summer will be his last in Brighton. In January, he was on the verge of signing with Arsenal, but the club is no longer in the running after shelling out £105 million to get Declan Rice from West Ham.
Though Chelsea seems to be his most likely final destination, the future of the 21-year-old international from Ecuador is now uncertain. Caicedo is under contract until June 2027, thus Brighton are prepared to demand £100 million for him, giving the Seagulls an advantage in negotiations.
Caicedo, for his part, recently told the Ecuadorian site TC Television that he was intent on joining Chelsea. “It’s a huge team, that’s true. A very large, distinguished, and stunning team that I am unable to refuse my want to join. The city itself is stunning. Everything about it is amazing.
It’s believed that Liverpool is content with the midfielders they currently have. They also have Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has demonstrated his ability to play in the position, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and Stefan Bajcetic, in addition to Fabinho and Henderson.
If they do contact Brighton over Caicedo they can expect a tough negotiating stance from the club who have already sold them Mac Allister.
