Chelsea beat Liverpool in the hunt for Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion. According to a report from journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea and Brighton have agreed on a dowry worth 115 million pounds.
Chelsea and Liverpool have just fought on the Stamford Bridge field for their opening match in the 2023-2024 Premier League, Sunday (13/8/2023). The match ended in a 1-1 draw after Luis Diaz’s goal (18′) was answered by Axel Disasi (37′).
The battle between the two also took place off the field. Liverpool had previously thought they would get the player after coach Jurgen Klopp confirmed a medical for the midfielder on 11 August 2023.
“I have been informed that I have confirmation of the Moises Caicedo deal agreed with the club,” Klopp said, as quoted by journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter (@FabrizioRomano).
However, Caicedo later changed course. Romano claims that Caicedo only wanted to join Chelsea even though Brighton had an agreement with Liverpool.
Now, the journalist from Italy reports that Caicedo will join the Stamford Bridge camp for a fee of 115 million pounds. Caicedo will sign a contract that runs until June 2031, with an option to extend until 2032.
“BREAKING: Moises Caicedo to Chelsea, here we go! Deal done and done now – that would be a British transfer record,” Romano said in a tweet.
According to the journalist, Caicedo has reached a personal agreement with Chelsea since the end of last May. Therefore, the Ecuadorian national team player only wants to wear the Blues costume – Chelsea’s nickname.
Reported from ESPN, the 21-year-old player expressed his desire to move to Stamford Bridge instead of Liverpool.
“Of course we will improve the squad. It’s about finding the right profile, the right players to create the best combinations where we are stronger,” said Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino after the match against Liverpool.
Previously, Chelsea withdrew from the agreement to recruit United States international, Tyler Adams, from Leeds due to differences in the payment structure related to his release clause of £ 20 million. The Blues decided to use the money to secure the services of the Brighton midfielder.
Caicedo has been Pochettino’s main target this summer, and the Argentine coach said that Chelsea really needed a new midfielder. As well as Caicedo, Chelsea will hope to beat Liverpool in the hunt for another midfielder when they negotiate with Southampton for Romeo Lavia.
Liverpool have made at least three bids rejected by Southampton for Lavia, but Chelsea are believed to have shown readiness to offer more than a £50m valuation for the 19-year-old.
