Chelsea have finally reach agreement with Brighton to sign Moises Caicedo on a club record transfer fee.
The highly-rated midfielder is now set for a new chapter with the London club after a rollercoaster spell with Seagulls.
The signing of Moises Caicedo caps a dragging transfer saga and uncertainty over the future of the player in the Premier League which began last summer.
Arsenal were the first club who expressed a concrete interest in signing Moises Caicedo but were dragged into an ill-fated transfer saga that saw Brighton tighten their grip on the player.
Caicedo wanted the big move to Arsenal then and was pushing for an exit to London club after the Gunners indicated interest with multiple round of bids rejected.
The Ecuadorian midfield sensation took to his social media handle to call for his Brighton exit only to meet the iron fist of the club’s hierarchy, who axed him out of the squad.
As Brighton insisted on a no-sale decision, Arsenal finally backed off from the race and went for former Chelsea star Jorginho.
Moises Caicedo was later reinstated into the Seagulls, signing a new contract after begging to leave the club.
This summer, Brighton were opened for Caicedo’s departure but wanted a transfer fee in excess of £100m.
Top Premier League clubs were already lining up for the player. This time, Arsenal still indicated interest in Caicedo but were chasing a deal for West Ham’s Declan Rice, whom they signed for a record £105m.
This summer, Chelsea led the race for Moises Caicedo with concrete interest also reported from Liverpool, and other top Premier League clubs, including feelers from Saudi clubs.
The Blues had submitted four rounds of bid for Moises which were all turned down by Brighton. Chelsea’s last rejected bid for Moises Caicedo was £100m.
After the Blues’ £100m bid, Liverpool, who have been monitoring proceedings between Chelsea and the seagulls, launched a late night bid in an attempt to hijack the move.
Liverpool tabled a record £110m bid for Brighton which was readily accepted by Brighton. However, the Reds were dealt a heavy blow when Moises Caicedo informed them he is only interested in a move to Chelsea.
Caicedo’s decision stalled transfer proceedings on personal terms after the accepted bid with Liverpool reportedly ready to walk away.
Meanwhile, it was understood Chelsea were set to launch a final bid for Moises Caicedo after surviving the late night hijack attempt by Liverpool, thanks to Moises Caicedo’s decision to turn down the proposal.
We reported earlier that Chelsea had launched a final fifth bid for Moises Caicedo worth £115m plus add-ons.
There were reports the Blues will be given the greenlight by Brighton for Caicedo before the Premier League opener against Liverpool, who lost out on the race for the player, but an agreement was yet to be confirmed before and during the match.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the Blues have finally reached agreement with Brighton for Moises Caicedo after their £115m bid for the player.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Chelsea won the race for Caicedo after offering a guaranteed payment higher than what Liverpool offered Brighton. Chelsea exceeded Liverpool’s offer by £5m. However, Caicedo’s decision was instrumental in the closure of the deal.
Futballnews understands Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Moises Caicedo since May. Caicedo will join the Blues as the the club’s most expensive signing, exceeding the £106.5m fee paid for Enzo Fernandez last summer.
He has agreed to a long term nine-year contract till 2032. Caicedo has been tipped to be Chelsea’s biggest upgrade in the midfield this summer. The youngster will make a sensational midfield combo with Enzo Fernandez at the middle of the park for the Blues.
Caicedo made 44 appearances for Brighton last term, recording a goal and an assist for the club.
