As per a report in The Athletic, Brighton and Hove Albion have rejected a fourth offer from Chelsea for their midfielder Moises Caicedo.
The Seagulls have already knocked back three offers ranging from £60 million to £70 million and this latest proposal was for £80million (£75m plus £5m in add-ons). From the very first day of the summer transfer window, Brighton have made it clear that they want nothing less than £100 million for the defensive midfielder and it looks like they are refusing to budge from their demands.
Declan Rice has moved to Arsenal for £105 million and this transfer has made Brighton’s position even stronger in the transfer market. Chelsea badly need to sign a new defensive midfielder before the new season begins but they are finding it increasingly difficult to bring in Moises Caicedo.
Thankfully, Brighton are very much ready to sell the South American because their manager has publicly admitted that even though he wants to hold onto Moises Caicedo beyond the summer, his club has a replacement lined up in case the 21-year-old leaves.
“He is young, it is difficult to live inside the possibility to change things, changing teams, changing a city, changing everything,” said the Seagulls boss(h/t Football London). “But he’s a serious guy, a serious player and he’s working well in a good way.
“We are waiting for the situation to change. If you asked me what I would like, I would like him to stay with us but it is not my work, my work is to tell my owner that if Caicedo leaves that we need another big important midfielder.”
“Yes, but I don’t want to tell you!” the Italian added when asked if he has identified a replacement.
Will Chelsea ditch Moises Caicedo and shift their focus to Romeo Lavia?
Moises Caicedo is willing to join Chelsea but at this moment, it looks like the Blues are not willing to spend so much money on the 21-year-old.
Obviously, they will try one more time to convince Brighton but we have a feeling Pochettino might ask his management to shift focus on Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.
Chelsea along with Liverpool have been linked with the 19-year-old and at the moment, the Reds are in pole position to land him. Liverpool have already agreed on personal terms with him and they are going to make an improved offer very soon which is very close to what the Saints are demanding.
Journalist Ben Jacobs is claiming that Liverpool are the favourites to sign Lavia but he does not rule out a Chelsea hijack at the very last moment.
Southampton are demanding £50 million for Romeo Lavia and Chelsea will be more than happy to pay this fee. They are willing to spend £80 million on Moises Caicedo so they won’t even mind paying a bit extra for Lavia and pricing out Liverpool.
Moises Caicedo is still the number one priority for the Chelsea boss but their management is improving their offers at a very sluggish pace. The new season is just around the corner and Poch will want his full squad assembled before the 23/24 season kicks off. The Blues do not have much time on their hands so maybe it’s wise to shift focus to the ex-Man City graduate Romeo Lavia rather than waste time trying to convince Brighton.
The Saints midfielder does the same job as Moises Caicedo and he’s just 19 years old. Last season, he was one of the rare bright sparks in an otherwise poor Southampton side so paying £50 or even £60 million for him won’t be a bad decision.
