Chelsea are preparing a new bid for Moisés Caicedo, who missed Brighton’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Mauricio Pochettino is determined to strengthen his midfield before the start of the new season, and Chelsea, who are also considering a move for Leeds’ Tyler Adams, are optimistic about their chances of signing Caicedo.
Brighton have turned down several bids for the Ecuador international, the most recent of which was worth up to £80 million, and now value him at £100 million. Chelsea have yet to approach that figure, but Caicedo’s desire to move to Stamford Bridge strengthens their position. Brighton stated that the 21-year-old missed the draw with Vallecano due to a hamstring injury.
The expectation remains that Chelsea will end up signing Caicedo, even if means paying £100m to land their top target. The Stamford Bridge club are light on experience and depth in midfield after losing Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount. Pochettino played a midfield trio of Enzo Fernández, Conor Gallagher and Carney Chukwuemeka when his new side drew 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund in their final pre-season friendly.
Alternatives to Caicedo.
Chelsea, who host Liverpool on Sunday, have considered alternatives to Moisés Caicedo. They hold an interest in Adams and might activate the £20 million relegation release clause of the USA international. Pochettino is an admirer of Paris Saint-Germain’s 29-year-old Argentina international Leandro Paredes, who would offer vital experience, and Chelsea remain in the running for Southampton’s Roméo Lavia. Liverpool are favourites to sign Lavia.
Edson Álvarez is another option for Chelsea but West Ham are closing in on a deal for the Ajax midfielder. West Ham have offered £30m for Álvarez.
They anticipate paying the Mexico international between £35 million and £40 million to secure his signature, as he has already agreed upon personal terms with the east London club. West Ham are yet to make a summer signing and could move for the Chelsea striker Armando Broja, after agreeing to sell Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta in a deal worth up to €30m (£26m). Scamacca failed to settle after joining West Ham for £35.5m last summer.
Broja’s future could depend on whether Chelsea, who have already strengthened in attack with the signings of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, sign another forward. Juventus are offering the Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic as part of a deal that would see Romelu Lukaku return to Italy and end his Chelsea nightmare. However, Pochettino is not convinced about adding Vlahovic to his squad.
Chelsea remain in the market for an attacking midfielder and are tracking Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga and Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise. They have been monitoring Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus but Brighton are close to breaking their transfer record by signing the Ghana international for around £35m.