August 14, (THEWILL) – Chelsea have reached an agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion to sign midfielder, Moises Caicedo, in a deal worth £115 million.
The 21-year-old Ecuador international will undergo a medical on Monday, before signing an eight-year contract, with the option for an additional season, to seal the record transfer. The west London club will reportedly pay an initial £100m upfront plus £15m in easily achievable add-ons. Brighton will also retain a sell-on clause as part of the agreement.
Caicedo has been Chelsea’s top target this summer as they aim to revamp their midfield after the departures of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Liverpool had made a late £110m bid for Caicedo last week and had agreed personal terms.
However, Chelsea’s need for reinforcements and Caicedo already being located in London gave them the edge in finalising the deal. Caicedo will provide energy and quality on the ball to help fill the void left by the outgoing midfielders. Brighton have already sold Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool and will now lose his fellow midfielder, Caicedo, to a direct rival.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea drew 1-1 with Liverpool on Sunday in their English Premier League opener and face West Ham next weekend as they look to integrate their new signing.
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.
