Chelsea risk Brighton fury as long-term deal offered to Levi Colwill

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Chelsea starlet Levi Colwill has reportedly agreed a new long-term contract amid reports of interest from Brighton. Colwill had openly discussed considering his future this summer after a productive loan spell with the Seagulls last season. 

The 20-year-old shone for Brighton in the second half of last season, having initially struggled for game time after joining them on loan 12 months ago. Roberto De Zerbi has been keen to get a move secured for the talented defender. 

Reports claim that Brighton have asked about Colwill’s availability during discussions over Moises Caicedo’s future. Chelsea have seen two bids rejected for the Ecuador ace. 

Chelsea had insisted that Colwill is not for sale, despite pressing interest from Brighton. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has seemingly assured the former Huddersfield loanee over his game time ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Chelsea now appear to have locked down Colwill’s long-term future, in a move which is likely to disappoint Brighton and strengthen their resilience of not selling Moises Caicedo to the Stamford Bridge outfit.

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According to The Athletic, Colwill has agreed to sign a bumper six-year deal with the Blues. The academy graduate now seems likely to remain at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place in a talented Chelsea team. 

The report adds that the contract is yet to be formally signed. However, it will see Colwill stay at Chelsea until at least 2029. 

Figures within both Chelsea and the Football Association regard Colwill as having a key role to play for club and country in the years to come. He enjoyed his first taste of senior England experience having been called up to Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Macedonia and Malta earlier this summer. 

Colwill did not feature in either game but was a key part of the Three Lions team that won the U21 European Championship just weeks later. That triumph intensified speculation that he could depart Chelsea this summer. 

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Brighton, Liverpool and Manchester City were all credited with an interest. But Pochettino appears to have won the battle and convinced the youngster to commit to the Blues. 

After Colwill made his Chelsea debut against Brighton in a pre-season friendly, Pochettino said: “I am happy with him.

“His performance was good today, better than what I expected because it is only the first game with us after the season with Brighton. I am so happy, he can be one of the greatest centre-backs in England.”

Brighton are likely to be frustrated by Colwill’s decision to sign a new contract. The Seagulls have rejected two bids for midfielder Caicedo, with the latest amounting to around £80m. 

It was widely believed that Brighton would mellow on their stance and allow Caicedo to move to west London, providing Colwill comprised part of the final transfer.

Now the ball remains firmly in Brighton’s court.

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