Football
Chelsea Transfers: Brighton take decision on Moises Caicedo’s move to Stamford Bridge
Chelsea have made Brighton’s Moises Caicedo their top transfer target in their bid to fortify their midfield.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls have remained adamant that their 21-year-old midfielder is not for sale. Brighton have insisted that the Ecuadorian will start new Premier League season with them.
The Blues have seen multiple offers for Caicedo, including a bid of £80 million last week, turned down by Brighton.
The offers from Chelsea have fallen short of Brighton’s £100m valuation for the midfielder, National Daily reports.
Caicedo was ruled out of Brighton’s 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday due to the injury he suffered in training. But he is expected to be in their starting line-up for their EPL opener against Luton Town on Saturday.
‘Moises had a slight hamstring injury late in training and was pulled out for that reason,’ Brighton’s chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber said on Sunday.
‘With a Premier League season just a week away it makes no sense to risk him today.
‘We’re looking forward to Moises starting the season with us, he’s a Brighton player under a long-term contract.
‘He’s probably one of the most exciting young midfield players in the world at the moment and we’re delighted to have him.’
However, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has suggested that Caicedo’s future at the club remains uncertain.
‘If Moises leaves, we will find another important player. And if Moises stays, I will be happy for us, for the team, for the club,’ De Zerbi said.
‘But it’s not my problem now, if Moises leaves, we will bring another player in. We are Brighton, and under our policy there is the possibility to lose some players at the end of the season. It was the same for [Alexis] Mac Allister and [Levi] Colwill.’