Chelsea readying new bid for Moises Caicedo

Chelsea will launch a new offer for Moises Caicedo this week after failing to find common ground with Brighton & Hove Albion at the first time of asking.

According to the Evening Standard, the Blues have pieced together an improved £70 million-plus bid for the 21-year-old midfielder.

However, their latest proposal won’t come near the Seagulls’ insane £100m asking price for their most prized asset.

Roberto De Zerbi’s employers rebuffed a similar approach from Arsenal in the January transfer window, and they’re unlikely to have a change of heart this summer.

Using Declan Rice’s record-breaking £105m transfer to Arsenal as a benchmark for their stratospheric demands, the Seagulls are unwilling to budge on the youngster’s price tag.

Following Alexis Mac Allister’s move to Liverpool, they would ideally keep their deep-lying midfielder at the Amex Stadium despite promising to stay out of his way if he decides to leave.

Chelsea and Brighton remain at odds over Caicedo’s valuation, but Mauricio Pochettino still sees the Ecuadorian as a potential marquee signing.

While Chelsea remain hopeful of getting a discount, they may have no choice but to indulge Brighton as they desperately need midfield reinforcements after waving goodbye to four first-team stars.

N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have departed Stamford Bridge in the summer, leaving Pochettino short of reliable midfield options.

Caicedo alone may not be enough to fill the void, even if Chelsea overcome competition from Liverpool for the Ecuadorian’s signature.

The Reds have recently joined the race for Mac Allister’s former teammate amid the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

But the Blues are still the front-runners, with Caicedo reiterating his wish to work under Pochettino.

Chelsea are exploring two other options to strengthen their engine room, with Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia emerging as their targets.