The latest on Moises Caicedo as the Blues weigh up their midfield options with less than seven days remaining of the January transfer window

Moises Caicedo of Brighton & Hove Albion lines up before the Seagulls Premier League match against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Brighton star Moises Caicedo in the January transfer window, with the 21-year-old viewed as one of many options that could solve the Blues’ midfield woes.

Enzo Fernandez appeared as the priority at the start of the window, but after seeing their proposals to Benfica rejected, attention swiftly turned to Caicedo. Graham Potter was the manager who brought the Ecuador international to the Premier League and the now Chelsea boss seems to be eyeing a potential reunion.

The Blues have sent two bids upwards of £55million for Caicedo but saw both rejected by the Seagulls who are demanding a fee closer to £70million to sanction a mid-season departure.

Despite Brighton’s lofty demand and two proposals being rebuffed, Chelsea remain keen on signing Caicedo in January. With that said, football.london brings you up to speed with the latest on his potential move to Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo admission

In a recent interview, Caicedo himself delivered an update on his future where he insists his current focus is only on Brighton.

Speaking to the Brighton’s official club website, he said: “I am here, I’m playing every day. Things from outside don’t trouble me, nor does it take that focus away because I’m focused only on here,” he said. “I handle [the speculation] well.

“You hear rumours here and there, but I only try to be focused on the club where I am now, the club which opened the doors for me to be playing every week.”

Arsenal hijack

Arsenal are ‘ready’ to rival Chelsea for Brighton talent Moises Caicedo as both London teams look to sign a new midfielder.

The Blues are thought to still be pursuing a deal for Benfica star Enzo Fernandez, which could allow the Gunners to hijack a move for Caicedo and get revenge after Mykhailo Mudryk moved to Stamford Bridge after being heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

£55m bid rejected

Chelsea have seen two offers upwards of £55million rejected by Brighton and Hove Albion for midfielder Moises Caicedo.

The Seagulls are said to value their star midfielder at a far higher price, demanding a fee closer to £70million, with Brighton keen on not losing him in the middle of the 2022/23 season.

Replacement identified

Brighton’s latest movement in the transfer market has handed a major boost to Chelsea that they will be able to agree a deal for Moises Caicedo either this month or in the summer.

As revealed by Daniel Kristoffersson, the Seagulls have agreed a deal to sign AIK midfielder Yasin Ayari for £5.3million, with the 18-year-old viewed as the long-term successor to Caicedo in the same way the Ecuador international was to Yves Bissouma.

source: https://www.football.london/