Izuchukwu OkosiThe transfer merry-go-round involving Brighton midifelder Moises Caicedo took an interesting twist on Friday as the Ecuadorian according to several English news outlets has chosen to sign for Chelsea rather than Liverpool.
The Merseysiders launched an audacious bid of over £110m in the early hours of Friday with manager Jurgen Klopp in buoyant mood when he spoke to the media in his first press conference of the season.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSome hours later, reports began to circulate that the player was not keen anymore to speak with the Reds as he plans to put pen to paper for Chelsea.
Chelsea had been pursuing a deal for the South American and saw two bids – £70m and £80m rejected outrightly by Brighton – which led to them seeking other alternatives.
Liverpool were also credited with an interest with Caicedo but were also considering bidding for Southampton’s youngster Romeo Lavia.
During his press conference Friday afternoon, Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi appears to already be preparing for life without Moises Caicedo.
The Seagulls are set to bid farewell to one of their star players this summer as Chelsea and Liverpool fight for the Ecuadorian.
“I have already forgotten Moises,” De Zerbi stated unequivocally.
“I am really proud for the players we have in the squad. We want to keep improving. The credit goes to the club.”
“Bigger clubs can buy players but they can’t buy our soul and our spirit,” he added, before also saying: “We don’t have enough yet, we need to complete the squad. I want players who want to come here.
“We are Brighton, we achieved a big target last year – the same as Liverpool, better than Chelsea. I would like players who are proud to play in Brighton.”
Caicedo is likely to be the third big name to leave Brighton after Alexis Mac Allister and Robert Sanchez.
Brighton sales in the past year if Caicedo deal goes through:
🇨🇴 Moises Caicedo £110m
🇪🇸 Marc Cucurella £62m
🇦🇷 Alexis McAllister £55m
🇲🇱 Yves Bissouma £35m
🇧🇪 Leandro Trossard £27m
🇪🇸 Victor Sanchez £25m
🏴 Dan Burn £13m
🇫🇷 Leo Maupay £12m
💰💰 To tal = £389m
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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