Journalist Ben Jacobs has told The Done Deal Show that Chelsea have moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign Moises Caicedo in January.
The Blues are in need of signing a central midfielder with the likelihood that Jorginho leaves at the end of the season.
They have already pushed hard this month to try and secure Enzo Fernandez, although they have decided that they don’t want to trigger the release clause like Benfica desired.
It was claimed after that they were beginning to prioritise other targets, with Caicedo being one of them.
Graham Potter has a great relationship with the 21-year-old after handing him his Premier League debut last season.
He has since become a crucial member of the Seagulls’ midfield, being praised as ‘terrific’ by experts in the process.
Chelsea favourites for Caicedo
Now, Jacobs has claimed his new club are favourites to bring him in if a deal is done in January.
He said: “Moises Caicedo is on Chelsea’s radar. Liverpool like the player too. A deal has been messy in the past due to multiple agent representation, hidden costs and side fees.
“Therefore, we now need to wait a week, because the new agent of Moises Caicedo doesn’t formally represent him until January 18th. Then there’s going to be a mad scramble to see whether anything is possible in January, otherwise clubs will look to the summer.
“I think that Chelsea are more likely than Liverpool to try something in January, but the fee will be in excess of £70m all-in in all likelihood.
“Brighton are not under any pressure to sell. When I spoke to their CEO Paul Barber he made it clear that they’re not planning for anything in January, incoming or outgoing.”
With the quoted fee being plenty less than what it was for Fernandez, there is a potential that the Blues move this month.
There will perhaps be an eye to beat rivals to a deal, especially as next summer should see plenty of strong midfielders on the move from their current clubs.
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