Chelsea ‘to lodge £70m-plus bid’ for Moises Caicedo after already agreeing terms

Chelsea will reportedly make a £70million bid for Brighton star Moises Caicedo this week.

The Blues are ready to ramp up their pursuit of the central-midfielder following the departures of N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic this summer.

Todd Boehly’s side have already agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old, leaving just a fee to be agreed between the clubs as Caicedo eyes a dream move to Stamford Bridge.

Yet Brighton previously rejected a £60m bid for the Ecuador international and could still deem Chelsea’s improved offer insufficient.

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The Evening Standard reports Brighton have set a benchmark fee of £100m for Caicedo and will hold out for an adequate offer, having seen Arsenal sign Declan Rice for £105m from West Ham last week.

Caicedo himself has been anxious to leave Brighton in favour of one of England’s biggest clubs, even publicly stating he wants to sign for the Blues last week.

He told Ecuadorian outlet TC Television: “It’s a big team, that’s true. A very historic team which I can’t say no [to joining] because it’s a very big, historic, beautiful team. The city as well is beautiful. It’s got everything beautiful.”

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It marks a similar situation to when Caicedo’s move to the Gunners broke down in January, with Brighton rejecting a second bid worth £70m. Caicedo ended up staying put as the Seagulls warned he was not for sale midway through the season.

Speaking of his disappointment, he later told the Daily Telegraph: “I suffered a lot. I’m sure I'm going to have many more opportunities. That’s why I continue to do things well.

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“I’d seen a lot of Arsenal before knowing that there was a possibility of me signing for them. I watched them and I liked them because they have very young, talented players and some stars but they always have that mindset of wanting more.”

The midfielder was dropped from Brighton’s squad during the transfer saga but went on to sign a new contract with the side until 2027.

Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is keen to complete all new additions to his squad before the pre-season tour of the United States this week.

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