According to a report in Goal.com and various other publications, Chelsea have hit a roadblock in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo.
With so many midfielders leaving the club, the Blues are desperate to sign Caicedo but Brighton and Hove Albion want £100 million for the 21-year-old and the Seagulls are refusing to budge from their original demands.
Chelsea have already seen a few bids rejected and as per the latest updates, the two clubs are still far away from reaching a neutral ground in terms of the transfer fee. Brighton have explored the idea of a cash-plus-player deal with Levi Colwill coming to the Amex Stadium but Pochettino has no intention of letting the youngster leave.
Liverpool are another club who are keeping a close eye on this development because Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of the Ecuador international and Chelsea’s sluggish pace will excite the Reds very much.
Could Chelsea abandon their pursuit of Moises Caicedo, and will Liverpool capitalise?
Liverpool are revamping their midfield this summer and someone like Caicedo will be a top addition to their squad but Fabrizio Romano’s latest update is not good news for them.
Romano in his latest CaughtOffside column has made it clear that Chelsea are still very much interested in Moises Caicedo and they are doing all they can to land the 21-year-old.
He has said: “Despite what’s being claimed elsewhere, I’m told negotiations are ongoing for Chelsea and Moises Caicedo – no changes.
“Caicedo really wants the move, so let’s see how he will act in the next days; but I can guarantee the negotiations are ongoing and that it’s not over. I know Chelsea fans are getting impatient and it’s not easy, but the player wants to join Chelsea as his priority, and they are working on it.”
Chelsea have sold Mason Mount to Man United and Kovacic to Man City while Kante has joined the Saudi Pro League so Pochetino needs a new central/defensive midfielder very badly. Conor Gallagher is also being linked with a move out of the club and if he exits then Enzo Fernandez will be the only defensive midfielder left in the squad.
Liverpool will love to bring in Moises Caicedo but we seriously doubt if their owners will pay £100 million straight up for the 21-year-old midfielder. Chelsea understand very well that no other club can afford such a massive transfer fee this late in the transfer window which is why we think they are taking it slow.
Moises Caicedo played in 37 Premier League games last season and he had a rating of 7.32 out of 10. Along with Declan Rice, Caicedo was one of the top defensive midfielders last season and he can be a great addition to any top-six team. Liverpool will obviously keep their hopes high but if Brighton finally decide to sell the midfielder then it will be to Chelsea.
