Chelsea might sign Moises Caicedo in the next 72 hours following a £100 million transfer ‘breakthrough’.
Chelsea are finally closing in on a deal to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton.
According to sources, Chelsea are closing in on Moises Caicedo and aim to sign the midfielder before Sunday’s Premier League start against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are said to have made a breakthrough in talks focusing on the structuring of a deal worth £100 million.
Chelsea are finally closing in on a deal to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton.
This summer, the Blues have already had three bids for the Ecuadorian rejected. The most recent was for £80 million, with the Seagulls remaining hard on their appraisal of the player, who Arsenal tried to sign in January.
Despite signing a new deal with Brighton in March, Caicedo would prefer to move to Stamford Bridge. According to the Independent, Chelsea are making progress toward a deal, but they must pay a guaranteed £90 million plus £10 million in add-ons to get it done.
The Londoners have refused to pay more than £80 million, but they are close to reaching an agreement with Brighton on how the transfer price would be handled. After Arsenal paid £105 million for Declan Rice from West Ham, it is believed that a bid of £90 million or more will be required to conduct business with the south coast club.
And Chelsea are apparently hopeful they can sign Caicedo in the next 72 hours before they take on Liverpool. That would allow him to be integrated into Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for the second match of the season away at West Ham on Sunday 20 August.
Roberto de Zerbi stated late last month that he intends to keep Caicedo in his squad for the upcoming season. Nonetheless, Brighton have remained in talks with the Blues over a deal that would allow the 21-year-old to depart the Amex Stadium.
After weeks of difficulties in reaching a deal, Pochettino is expected to finally achieve his primary goal. Caicedo missed Brighton’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday and was absent from training the next day due to injury rather than anxiety over his future. Chelsea are finally closing in on a deal to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton.
The Athletic also reports that Chelsea have presented a £48 million deal for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, who has had three bids rejected by Liverpool. Pochettino’s team reportedly tabled the offer on Wednesday night.
The Saints want £50 million for the Belgian teenager, and it remains to be seen whether the offer is sufficient to convince them to allow Lavia depart. Purchasing the 19-year-old would be a big blow to Liverpool, who are a midfielder or two short on the eve of the new season.
Tyler Adams of Leeds was also mentioned as a possible target, but it does not appear like Chelsea will attempt to sign the American in addition to Caicedo and Lavia despite a slew of outgoings this summer. Pochettino’s only two senior midfielders are Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher, both of whom could depart Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.
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