Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi has, on Friday, spoken out on both the future of star midfielder Moises Caicedo, and his side’s ongoing interest in Levi Colwill.
The names of both Caicedo and Colwill, of course, have taken their respective places front and centre in the media headlines across the summer to date.
This comes amid something of a back-and-forth between the powers that be at Brighton, and their Chelsea counterparts.
The latter, for their part, are desperate to bring in the aforementioned Caicedo, having long identified the Ecuadorian as the missing piece of the midfield puzzle in west London.
Brighton, meanwhile, are pushing hard to bring defender Colwill back to England’s south coast, after an impressive loan stint with the club last season.
To this point, however, negotiations over both players have culminated in stalemate.
Speaking to the media on Friday, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of both players was put to none other than Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi.
First, on his side’s midfield lynchpin, Brighton’s headmaster was unwavering in his assurance that without a ‘change in conditions’, Caicedo will stay put for the season ahead:
“I spoke with Tony Bloom. He told me if the conditions don’t change, Moises stays with us. For me, could be great news. If Moises leaves, we have to find another player of the same level.”
“I didn’t give my word for anything. At the moment, I haven’t received news that Caicedo can leave tomorrow or in the next week.”
It was his ensuing comments on Colwill, however, which are no doubt set to ruffle some feathers over at Stamford Bridge.
Despite Chelsea’s public stance that their up-and-coming defender is in no way for sale, De Zerbi was not shy in confirming his desire to see Colwill and Caicedo line out alongside one another at the Amex Stadium:
“Colwill included in the deal? I would like to play with Colwill & Caicedo together.”
De Zerbi again on Caicedo: “I didn’t give my word for anything. At the moment, I haven’t received news that Caicedo can leave tomorrow or in the next week” ⚠️
“Colwill included in the deal? I would like to play with Colwill & Caicedo together”. pic.twitter.com/C6zjTvgsg1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 21, 2023
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