Chelsea target Moises Caicedo has impressed at both Brighton and Ecuador (Image: Getty)
Chelsea’s hopes of signing Moises Caicedo from Brighton this summer have “hit a dead end”, according to new reports, in a blow to the Blues.
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The Ecuador international is Chelsea’s top midfield target for the summer window, but his latest bid of £70m was rejected by Brighton.
Chelsea are preparing a new offer of £80m plus add-ons, but the Seagulls are adamant Caicedo will not be sold for less than £100m, unless the Blues are willing to let Levi Colwill move in another direction as part of a swap deal.
But Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is not ready to lose Colwill and believes the youngster will develop into one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
According to The Guardian , the situation means that Chelsea’s hopes of signing Caicedo have been met with success with neither side moving in their current position.
Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi is keen to bring Colwill back to the south coast after he spent last season on loan with the Seagulls.
Speaking at the weekend as Brighton lost 4-3 to Chelsea in a pre-season friendly, De Zerbi said: “There are two questions. Not only about Caicedo, also about Colwill, and maybe it can be [a swap].’
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Pochettino, meanwhile, is keen to welcome 21-year-old Caicedo to Stamford Bridge following the departures of midfielders N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Caicedo was one of Brighton’s most important players last season and helped them finish sixth in the Premier League, qualifying for Europe for the first time.
He almost moved to Arsenal before making a switch to Chelsea and had even agreed personal terms with the Gunners, who ended up bringing in Declan Rice for £105m.
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Source: Chelsea suffer blow in hopes of signing Moises Caicedo from Brighton | Football
