Jamie Redknapp reacts to Moises Caicedo rejecting Liverpool for Chelsea

Jamie Redknapp says he is ‘astonished’ Moises Caicedo has seemingly rejected a move to Liverpool in favour of joining Chelsea.

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A number of Premier League clubs have expressed interest in signing the Brighton midfielder but it appeared as though Liverpool would win the race as they agreed terms for a British record £111m deal.

Jurgen Klopp even addressed the move in his pre-Chelsea press conference on Friday morning before it was reported that Caicedo had told Liverpool he favoured a move to Stamford Bridge.

It remains to be seen where Caicedo will end up as Chelsea may not be willing to match Liverpool’s stunning offer despite agreeing personals terms with the 21-year-old earlier in the summer.

Mauricio Pochettino is keen to welcome Caicedo to his squad in west London but Chelsea’s previous highest offer was believed to be worth £80m.

Ex-England midfielder Redknapp is ‘amazed’ Caicedo would turn down Liverpool and says a move to Anfield would have been ‘perfect’ for the Ecuador international.

‘It’s been astonishing what has happened these past few days,’ he said on the Sky Sports Football podcast. ‘I thought I’d seen it all with football transfers.

‘There was that Peter Odemwingie one a few years ago, my dad [Harry Redknapp] was involved with that one, but this will make for an incredible couple of days.

‘What is most unbelievable about it is that we’re just a few hours away from the Premier League starting and players don’t know if they’ll be going or staying. I think it’s unbelievable.

‘I’m obviously hugely biased on this one but this is astonishing for me. I didn’t think I’d see a situation like this.

‘Normally Liverpool would always win this one, they turned their attention from [Romeo] Lavia a couple of days ago, and now they’ve turned their attentions to Caicedo.

‘I woke up and I thought it was inevitable. I was very happy with that one, but to hear the news he’s turned Liverpool down. I’ll believe it when I see it and when I see him in a Chelsea shirt. I find it quite astonishing.

‘I get the attraction of Chelsea, I really do, but in terms of the history of the club, I’m amazed.

‘Especially when you’re turning down Jurgen Klopp who has been there for so long and could have joined [former Brighton team-mate] Alexis Mac Allister. I thought it would be a perfect move.’

Caicedo has quickly established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since arriving at Brighton in 2021 and helped the Seagulls qualify for Europe last season.

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi said he had ‘already forgotten about Moises’ in his pre-match press conference and wanted to work with players who were ‘proud’ to play for the club.

‘I have already forgotten about Moises. I’m really proud of the players we have in the squad,’ he said.

‘We want to keep improving. The credit goes to the club. Bigger clubs can buy our players but they can’t buy our soul or spirit.

‘We don’t have enough yet, we need to complete the squad. I want players who want to come here. 

‘We are Brighton, we achieved a big target last year – the same as Liverpool, better than Chelsea. I would like players who are proud to play in Brighton.’

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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, was asked about his interest in Caicedo as he previewed Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool.

‘I think you know me very well – I never talk about players that do not belong to us,’ the new Blues boss said. ‘I am so respectful.

‘I can tell you that we are working really hard to try to add more players to the squad. Like any club, we are working hard to try to add more quality, to reinforce the squad.

‘It’s obvious [that we are looking to sign more players] because when you look at the squad and compare it with last season, too many midfielders left the squad.

‘We are working hard to try to see, but it’s important to be respectful. That is the way I love to work and the way we need to work together at the club.’

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