Chelsea and Liverpool, according to The Mirror, will have to pay £85 million to entice Moises Caicedo away from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Ecuadorian international made his Premier League debut for Brighton at the tail end of last season and has since established himself as an undisputed starter. With his strong tackling, interceptions, and quality distribution, the 20-year-old has excelled from defensive midfield.
According to The Mirror, Caicedo is now attracting a lot of interest from English Premier League clubs. Chelsea and Liverpool are among the clubs interested in signing him. However, a significant fee would be required to secure his signature, with Brighton valuing him at a staggering £85 million.
Chelsea’s midfield has been a source of frustration this season. With N’Golo Kante out for the foreseeable future due to a long-term injury, there has been a constant rotation of players, but none have provided the same defensive resolve. Chelsea would gain a potential replacement for Kante in Caicedo.
Kante’s current deal with the club expires at the end of the season. Due to his frequent injuries, Chelsea may be better off releasing him. Caicedo would be a logical successor. He should adjust quickly, having played under former Brighton manager Graham Potter.
Liverpool, on the other hand, need to strengthen their holding midfield options in light of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson’s struggles this season. Caicedo, at 20, would be an excellent buy with his prime years ahead of him, but the main question is whether they can afford him.
For the Ecuadorian star, the Merseyside giants would have to pay a club record fee. Given their respective spending margins in recent transfer windows, one would expect Chelsea to have the upper hand. It wouldn’t surprise me if they tried to sign him as early as January.
Reuniting with Potter at Stamford Bridge may be more appealing to the young midfielder.
