In what has become one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer, the uncertainty around the future of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo continues to dominate headlines with Chelsea keen on signing the Ecuadorian international.
Caicedo has quickly become one of the Premier League’s top midfielders since his emergence at Brighton, and was the subject of an unsuccessful attempt to sign him by Arsenal in January before their attentions switched to Declan Rice, with Caicedo having also publicly stated his desire to leave for the Gunners.
Now it is Chelsea who are the frontrunners for the 21-year-old as they look to bolster a heavily depleted midfield this summer due to several outgoings – including Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante, while Conor Gallagher’s future could also lie elsewhere.
But what do we know for certain about Chelsea’s interest in Caicedo?
‘He stays if the conditions do not change’
Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi spoke openly about Chelsea’s interest in Caicedo ahead of their pre-season defeat to the Blues, also linking it to Brighton’s own intent to lure defender Levi Colwill away from Stamford Bridge following his successful loan spell with the Seagulls last season.
De Zerbi spoke of his desire to keep Caicedo at the club, claiming he had been told by owner Tony Bloom that he will stay put unless Chelsea up their offer.
“I spoke with Tony Bloom and he told me if the conditions don’t change, Moises stays with us,” De Zerbi said.
“And for me that should be great news, because it’s difficult to find another player like Moises. If Moises leaves we have to find another player of the same level because we deserve to play next season with the same level of midfielder.”
Agreement he can leave ‘not true’
Moreover, some reports suggested that De Zerbi and Caicedo had an agreement in place whereby he could leave in the summer after agreeing to extend his contract with the club in March.
But the Brighton boss denied those claims, adding: “It’s not true because I’m the coach, I’m not an owner, I’m not a sporting director.
“I didn’t give my word for anything, we didn’t speak about the next transfer window.
“Okay, we are Brighton, and I can understand we have to sell a player at the end of the season like (Alexis) Mac Allister but at the moment I have not received news Caicedo can leave tomorrow or next week.
“I start the next season with Caicedo in my head in the first 11, for sure.
“Caicedo extended his contract in February and now we are in July, and I can’t imagine he can change his idea. I think he’s honoured to receive other interest but he knows very well our club.
“We will see what happens in the next weeks and month.”
Is Colwill the key?
This transfer saga becomes even more interesting when factoring in Brighton’s interest in Chelsea defender Levi Colwill. The 20-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Brighton last season and De Zerbi made it clear that he would like him back at the club, even hinting at a possible agreement whereby Colwill could join Chelsea with Caicedo going the other way.
Though the Brighton head coach also said that, ideally, he would like the two to play together at Brighton.
“I would like to play with Caicedo and Colwill together but at the moment I can speak only about Caicedo,” De Zerbi said.
Caicedo coy on Chelsea interest
Caicedo himself would not be drawn on his future when being asked on camera if he was going to Chelsea…
Pochettino wants signings as soon as possible, keen to add to midfield
Mauricio Pochettino has not been drawn on individual names, but has spoke of his desire for the additions needed to complete his squad to come “as soon as possible”.
The new Chelsea boss has also confirmed that midfield is an area where he is looking to strengthen, hardly a surprise given their lack of options in that area.
“We are working really hard to add some players that can help us today and to earn the results that we want,” Pochettino said after Chelsea’s pre-season win over Brighton.
