‘Exciting’ Chelsea target’s price tag has just risen by £20m, he’ll cost more than £100m now

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Chelsea have now been dealt a setback in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo as Brighton react to Arsenal’s imminent capture of Declan Rice.

That is according to the Telegraph.

So, what has happened in Chelsea‘s hunt to sign Moises Caicedo? Let’s take a look…

What’s the story?

Well – according to The Times – Brighton valued the Ecuador international at £80m.

Now – however – the Seagulls feel a new benchmark has been set by Arsenal’s £100m deal to sign Rice from West Ham, potentially rising to £105m with add-ons.

Those at the Amex Stadium are said to believe Caicedo is similar to Rice, and are under the impression that they are within their rights to request over £100m given the fact he is three years younger than the England international.

Rice is 24 years of age, whereas Caicedo – who Graham Potter called “exciting” on Sky Sports – is still only 21.

Arsenal’s club-record signing of the West Ham No.41 is hardly ideal timing for Chelsea.

An update from Fabrizio Romano earlier this week explained how Chelsea and Brighton are in talks over how a deal for Caicedo can be structured, after the South American agreed personal terms with the Blues.

Now – by the sounds of it – Brighton are starting to get different ideas after West Ham managed to secure a British record transfer fee for Rice.

Chelsea have a trump card to sign Caicedo

In our view, Chelsea can speed up a deal to sign Caicedo by offering Levi Colwill as part of the negotiations.

According to the Daily Mail, the Blues have no intention of selling the England Under-21 international, and The Times believe Mauricio Pochettino even wants Todd Boehly to offer the defender a new contract.

However – according to talkSPORT – Brighton are desperate to sign Colwill after he shone on loan at the Amex Stadium last season, and are even willing to pay a club-record £40m.

That is perhaps the reason why Brighton are digging their heels in over Caicedo, as Chelsea do the same to Roberto De Zerbi over Colwill.

It is a real game of chess between both sides, and Chelsea may have to relinquish Colwill if they are to bring Caicedo to Stamford Bridge.