Journalist Alex Crook has bad news for Chelsea in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo.
Speaking yesterday on talkSPORT, Crook revealed that there is almost zero chance of the midfielder leaving Brighton & Hove Albion this month.
Caicedo is the subject of serious interest from two of the top Premier League clubs in London.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly rallying to sign the Ecuador international before the market closes until the summer.
The men with the money at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates have been so far knocked back by Brighton, who are clearly not keen to sell the 21-year-old.
Arsenal offered £60m, slightly more than the Blues thrust in the direction of Graham Potter’s former employers.
But neither have managed to meet the mark set by the South Coast side.
Will Chelsea capture Caicedo?
It will apparently take an even more impressive figure to persuade Brighton to relinquish Caicedo to the English capital.
Yet, even a fully-loaded fresh offer might not be enough for Chelsea to acquire their prime transfer target.
“I think it would take at least £75/£80m, maybe nearer £100m. This is big money for a club to come up with in the final four days of the transfer window,” explained Crook.
“At the moment, my sources are telling me, it’s 99% certain Caicedo stays at Brighton this window. That could change.”
Change could certainly be afoot, thanks to movements from the player himself.
On Friday, Caicedo reportedly handed in a transfer request to Brighton.
Not only that, but he went public on social media about his desire to leave the Amex for grander pastures.
Perhaps Potter will be reunited with his midfielder after all…