Chelsea are ready to increase their offer for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
The big-spending Blues, anxious to strengthen in central midfield, have already seen a £55million bid turned down. But it is believed Chelsea will make a fresh offer closer to the £65m that would tempt the Seagulls to part with the 21-year-old Ecuador international.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who was in charge at Brighton when Caicedo arrived from Independiente del Valle in a £4m deal almost two years ago, is a huge admirer. And former Brighton head of recruitment Paul Winstanley is now Chelsea’s ‘director of global talent and transfers’.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi admits Caicedo could leave the club, but ideally wants him to stay until the end of the season at least. Liverpool and Newcastle have also shown interest in Caicedo, who Manchester United missed out on before he joined Brighton.
Head coach De Zerbi said: “The mentality of Moises is amazing. He doesn’t need something more. To know that big teams in Europe want him isn’t a problem for him.
“He’s 21 but like me, 43, because he’s a good guy, a smart guy, mature guy. He’s a very important player, a strong player, a big player.
“I think he can become one of the best midfielders in Europe. For me he is now, but in the next two years for sure, because he’s technical but he, strong, physical. He’s complete.”
Albion have set their sights on a top-six finish this season and won't be deterred. De Zerbi added: “My target and my goal is real. When I spoke about sixth place in the table it is because I believe in my work. I don’t like to speak about something that I don’t believe in.
“But the question about whether we sell our big players is not for me, it’s for our owner.The problem is not to sell. The problem is to buy the new players with the same level or the same potential as the ones you sell. For the moment I think the club is working well in terms of scouting for new players.”
