July 18, (THEWILL) – Chelsea’s pursuit of highly-rated midfielder, Moises Caicedo, has encountered an obstacle as Brighton and Hove Albion have turned down their initial £70m offer.
Seeking reinforcements in midfield after losing key players this transfer window, Chelsea identified Caicedo as their primary target. The Ecuadorian international played a pivotal role in Brighton’s historic qualification for European competitions last season. However, negotiations have hit a hurdle as Brighton insist on a fee closer to the £105m Arsenal paid for Declan Rice.
Caicedo’s desire to join Chelsea is well-known, but the club’s first bid failed to meet Brighton’s valuation. Brighton firmly maintain that Caicedo’s market value far exceeds what the Blues are bidding. Considering Caicedo’s contract extension in March and his importance to Brighton’s achievements, the club is open to the possibility of retaining him for the upcoming season.
As negotiations continue, Chelsea and Brighton are set to face each other in a pre-season friendly in the United States on Saturday, marking Mauricio Pochettino’s inaugural match in charge of Chelsea. This encounter in Philadelphia adds an intriguing dimension to the transfer saga as both clubs can assess each other’s strengths on the field.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
