It was not even 12 months ago that Chelsea saw a series of transfer chases play out in public before inevitably breaking down when they lost out to Barcelona. There was no doubting the pressure was on the Blues' new ownership to act quickly but failing to sign Raphinha from Leeds and Jules Kounde from Sevilla made it seem like the club was not set to go anywhere first without an experience director of football
To an extent, the chase of Miguel Ugarte from Sporting Lisbon felt familiar. A move appeared close with Chelsea seemingly Sporting's favoured destination for the midfielder before the Blues pulled out of the race citing an exhorbitant salary offer from PSG. It is claimed that would have forced the club to pay over the market rate, something they did not want to do.
The latter point has been disputed, but with Chelsea prioritising the signing of a midfielder, the pressure is once again on as the football world now knows they have missed out on a primary target - not something the west London side require, given the reputation for spending they have already garnered in the last 12 months.
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Enter Moises Caicedo. Brighton have not proved cheap for Chelsea to deal with in terms of prising the likes of Marc Cucurella and Graham Potter from the south coast, but the Seagulls would not be budged when it came to a move for Caicedo in January, despite the midfielder's pleas for a transfer.
The Ecuador international was already one of Chelsea's targets this summer, regardless of any deal for Ugarte, and one which will not come cheaply. Brighton have already tested the west London side's resolve over Levi Colwill, who is not for sale, and may now test Chelsea's stance further in the knowledge they also have something the Blues want.
It has already been acknowledged by Roberto de Zerbi that both Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister could depart this summer, but making a deal for the Ecuador international may prove a sterner test after agreeing in a new contract until 2027 back in March.
It appears Mac Allister's path may have been dealt with more quietly. The World Cup winner is set to join Liverpool for less than £60million, with his Brighton contract running until 2025, though there was an option for a further year.
Any deal the Blues now complete with the south coast side will be compared to that of Mac Allister. Caicedo is three years younger and a fee of £100million has already been suggested.
Chelsea may face competition in the race for the 21-year-old, and they have been prepared to spend big to land their target in the past. Arsenal also hope to sign the midfield star, and the Gunners have experience first hand of their rivals willingness to go the extra mile in their battle for Mykhailo Mudryk.
However, this will be a test for Chelsea too. It was quickly apparent that a fee in excess of £60million for Cucurella was excessive and provided additional pressure on the player too. With a clear barometer in Liverpool's signing of Mac Allister, the Blues will have to quickly justify their spending if a fee approaches almost double the figure the Reds paid.
Chelsea will be tested by Brighton, particularly if Mac Allister is the player to go first, their stubborness over Caicedo may be reinforced. However, the west London side have clearly come off second best to the Seagulls in their dealings over the last 12 months, both in the fees that have been commanded and the price they were able to land Billy Gilmour. Chelsea need a win of their own.
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