Moisés Caicedo was absent from training on Monday after growing frustrated with Brighton’s refusal to grant him a move to Chelsea.
Chelsea have had three bids rejected for Caicedo, the latest of which was worth £80m, and are poised to make a new offer. Brighton value the midfielder at £100m and have made it clear that the transfer will only happen if their asking price is met.
Caicedo is keen on a move to Chelsea, who have also opened talks over a £20m move for the Leeds midfielder Tyler Adams, and is hoping for a swift resolution. The 21-year-old missed Brighton’s pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, with the club attributing his absence to a tight hamstring.
Sources have insisted Caicedo’s absence from training was not down to concern over his injury. He has grown unsettled and is a doubt to play in Brighton’s opening game of the season against Luton.
The expectation remains that Chelsea sign Caicedo, even if it means paying £100m. Mauricio Pochettino is short on experience and depth in central midfield before hosting Liverpool on Sunday. Chelsea are expected to bid for Adams, whose contract contains a relegation release clause. The 24-year-old USA midfielder joined Leeds last summer.
Chelsea want additions in attack and are due to hold further talks with Juventus over their proposal for a swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku and Dusan Vlahovic. Some figures at Chelsea admire Vlahovic, but Pochettino is believed to be less keen on the Serbia striker. The deal is unlikely to go through without Pochettino’s approval and could lead to more frustration for Lukaku, who is desperate to leave Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are unlikely to have Christopher Nkunku available against Liverpool. Nkunku is understood to have sustained meniscus damage in his left knee against Borussia Dortmund last week, but sources remain hopeful that the £58m forward will be out for weeks rather than months.
An extended layoff for the France forward would increase the pressure on Chelsea to strengthen in attacking midfield. They are interested in Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise but Napoli have emerged as favourites to sign Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga. Insiders have dismissed reports that Chelsea want to sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain.
