Moisés Caicedo is set to be the focus of Chelsea’s second British transfer record-breaking move in seven months. A £115 million deal has been reached to secure the acquisition of the Brighton midfielder by Chelsea.Caicedo is set to undergo a medical examination on Monday, after which he’ll complete his eagerly awaited move to Stamford Bridge.
Although Liverpool had a £111 million offer accepted for Moisés Caicedo last Thursday, they couldn’t persuade him to choose Anfield. The Ecuadorian midfielder has consistently expressed his desire to join Chelsea, and the club has worked out an arrangement. Chelsea will pay £100 million upfront, along with £15 million in performance-related add-ons. Brighton has secured an eight-year contract for Moisés Caicedo with an option for an additional year.
Brighton has driven a tough negotiation, including a sell-on clause. They stood firm on their £100 million minimum price and turned down several lower bids from Chelsea. The club has experienced the departure of players and staff to Chelsea over the past year.
Chelsea’s official stance is that the transfer isn’t finalized yet, although multiple sources confirm that Mauricio Pochettino, eager to strengthen his midfield, is about to secure his primary target. Chelsea persisted in pursuing Caicedo, ultimately disappointing Liverpool by outbidding them.
There’s a potential additional setback for Liverpool as Chelsea is also competing for the signing of Southampton midfielder Roméo Lavia. Chelsea is ahead in the race after proposing a £55 million deal for the 19-year-old on Friday.
For Chelsea’s owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, this transfer window has been fast-paced. They previously broke the British transfer record by signing Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández for £106.8 million in January. Adding the Caicedo deal, their spending under Boehly and Clearlake is nearing £900 million since acquiring the club last year.
Financial fair play regulations
Concerns might arise about Chelsea’s compliance with financial fair play regulations. They’ve undergone significant squad changes since the previous season and raised funds by transferring out 12 players so far this summer. They are loaning out goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to Real Madrid and could potentially sell Romelu Lukaku, Conor Gallagher, Ian Maatsen, Trevoh Chalobah, Hakim Ziyech, and Callum Hudson-Odoi before the transfer window closes.
Pochettino is actively seeking more additions. Chelsea, after pulling out of a £20 million deal to acquire Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams on Friday, is now pursuing the signing of Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise. The club is also looking to secure a goalkeeper and a striker.
Caicedo
As Liverpool anticipated potentially missing out on Caicedo, Jürgen Klopp had recognized the trend that Chelsea managers frequently see their desires fulfilled. Liverpool’s manager has been eager to acquire another midfielder this summer, and the limitations were evident as his team began their campaign with a lively 1-1 draw against Pochettino’s side.
Klopp aims to bolster his squad further before the transfer window’s closure. “That’s what each Chelsea manager wants and usually they get it,” Klopp remarked.
As Liverpool’s strong start weakened against Chelsea, with Luis Díaz’s opening goal countered by Axel Disasi’s debut goal, Klopp downplayed Mohamed Salah’s apparent frustration upon his substitution during the second half.
“I didn’t have a conversation yet with him,” Klopp noted. “I don’t think you have ever seen Mo leaving a pitch happily. That is OK. I didn’t think about it, I didn’t even know about it. I understand his disappointment, but I am the manager and we needed fresh legs. It was never anything to do with Mo or against him. 99% of the things we have achieved, we have achieved with him or because of him.”