Chelsea’s long-standing interest in Ecuadorian international midfielder Moisés Caicedo may hit a bit of a snag this summer after the Blues have been left frustrated during negotiations with Brighton surrounding the Seagulls star.
According to reports from The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, Chelsea is set to stand firm on their reluctance to meet Brighton’s £100m asking price for the highly-coveted 21-year-old, with the Blues hoping to strike a deal at around the £80m mark.
Chelsea reluctant to meet Brighton’s demand of £100m for Moisés Caicedo. Gabri Veiga talks expected to begin next week #cfc https://t.co/ph2VY60BVO
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) July 6, 2023
But a perfect storm for Brighton may well have unleashed itself this summer after Arsenal splashed a record fee for a British player on West Ham United’s Declan Rice. It was expected that the Seagulls could fetch a similar fee after rejecting £80m advances for Caicedo in January before he helped Roberto De Zerbi’s men secure European football for the first time in the club’s history.
After losing Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool earlier this window, Brighton’s stance remains firm not only surrounding Caicedo’s price point but Chelsea’s ability to meet that fee after their record-breaking January deal for Enzo Fernández in conjunction with the club’s impressive – and aided – ability to sell this summer.
Given the transfer impasse that currently exists between the two Premier League clubs, the Blues are reportedly ready to open talks for Spanish midfield starlet Gabri Veiga despite serious interest from Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Liverpool.
The 21-year-old Real Club Celta de Vigo academy graduate – who featured in our running Ones to Watch series – had a sublime 2022-23 under Carlos Carvalhal during his first full season at the Abanca-Balaídos, scoring 11 goals in La Liga while becoming one of the most sought-after midfielders anywhere in Europe.
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