Chelsea Nears Moises Caicedo Signing Within 72 Hours Following £100m ‘Breakthrough’
Finally, Chelsea is nearing an agreement to acquire Moises Caicedo from Brighton.
According to reports, Chelsea hopes to recruit midfielder Moises Caicedo before Sunday’s Premier League opener against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues have reportedly achieved a breakthrough in negotiations concerning the structure of a £100 million agreement.
This summer, the Blues have had three offers for the Ecuadorian rebuffed. The Seagulls remained steadfast in their valuation of the player, who Arsenal wanted to acquire in January, at £80 million.
Caicedo desires to transfer to Stamford Bridge despite having signed a new contract with Brighton in March.
The Independent reports that Chelsea are making progress toward an agreement, but that they must pay a guaranteed £90 million plus an additional £10 million in add-ons to seal the deal.
The Londoners did not want to pay more than £80 million, but they are close to reaching a transfer fee arrangement with Brighton.
After Arsenal’s purchase of Declan Rice from West Ham for £105 million, it is rumored that a bid of £90 million or more will be required to convince the south coast club to engage in negotiations.
Embed from Getty Images
Moises Caicedo could join Chelsea in the next three days after a £100 million transfer ‘breakthrough’
And Chelsea reportedly hopes to sign Caicedo within the next 72 hours before facing Liverpool.
That would enable him to join Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for Sunday, 20 August’s away match against West Ham in the second game of the season.
Roberto de Zerbi stated late last month that he intended to retain Caicedo on his roster for the upcoming season.
However, Brighton has continued to negotiate with Chelsea over a deal to allow the 21-year-old to depart the Amex Stadium.
And after weeks of unsuccessful negotiations, Pochettino will eventually acquire his top target.
Sunday’s friendly match between Brighton and Rayo Vallecano was missed by Caicedo, who was also absent from training on Monday due to injury rather than uncertainty about his future.
Embed from Getty Images
After a ‘breakthrough’ involving a £100 million transfer, Chelsea could sign Moises Caicedo within 72 hours.
The Athletic also reports that Chelsea has submitted a £48 million proposal for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, who Liverpool has rejected three times.
The proposition was reportedly made by Pochettino’s team on Wednesday night.
The Saints are seeking £50 million for the Belgian adolescent, and it remains to be seen whether the offer is sufficient for them to allow Lavia to depart.
The purchase of the 19-year-old would deal a significant setback to top-four rivals Liverpool, who are short one or two midfielders on the eve of the new season.
Tyler Adams of Leeds was also rumored to be a target, but it does not appear that Chelsea will pursue the American in addition to Caicedo and Lavia despite a large number of departures this summer.
Pochettino’s only two senior midfielders are Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher, both of whom could depart Stamford Bridge within the next few weeks.
Chelsea Nears Moises Caicedo Signing Within 72 Hours Following £100m ‘Breakthrough’
