Chelsea close in on Moises Caicedo as Brighton stand firm on £100m transfer fee

Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to the Guardian.

After over a month of chasing the 21-year-old midfielder, they hope to wrap up a deal before this weekend.

Brighton are holding out for at least £100 million and will not let him go for less.

The Ecuadorian midfielder was Chelsea’s top target heading into the transfer window, with the Blues in dire need of a holding midfielder. 

They have needed one for the past few years, with previous managers failing to get their targets.

Brighton will pocket plenty of profit for their £4.5m signing of Caicedo from Independiente del Valle in 2021. He went initially went on loan to Beerschot.

However, the Seagulls recalled him after six months. He began to shine under Graham Potter towards the end of the 2021/22 campaign. 

He continued his development last season under Potter and Roberto De Zerbi. He impressed in his holding midfield role and showed versatility, deputising as a right-back. 

Caicedo wants the move to Chelsea and has made that clear to Brighton, but the Seagulls want a premium fee.

The midfielder was unavailable for Brighton’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. 

The club claimed it was a hamstring problem, but many people felt the player was trying to force a move.

He was absent from training on Monday, and it looks like he will now get his move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are also in talks for Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams. He will likely deputise for Caidedo.

The Blues have been linked with Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but the Foxes do not want to sell.