Liverpool and Chelsea handed Caicedo blow after Trossard Arsenal transfer

Suraj Radia

• 21 Jan 2023 13:05 GMT
• 2 min read

Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi has dashed Liverpool and Chelsea’s hopes of signing Moises Caicedo after admitting that his side are less likely to sell the midfielder following the departure of Leandro Trossard.

Caicedo has been strongly linked with a move away from Brighton and Chelsea are believed to have had a £55 million bid rejected for the 21-year-old, with Blues boss Graham Potter keen to bring his former player to Stamford Bridge.

Brighton had indicated to both teams that they wouldn’t consider offers under £75m for Caicedo but the Ecuadorian may be set to stay at the club regardless after the Seagulls sold top scorer Trossard to Arsenal for £27m.

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While De Zerbi stopped short of ruling out a departure for Caicedo, the Italian insisted a move would be ‘difficult’ this month and hinted Brighton would be more open to selling their star man in the summer.

"It's difficult to change with another player now, inside the season," De Zerbi said. "I hope he finishes the season with us, but in the transfer market it is always difficult to give an answer.

"When there are some bigger teams [who] want our player it's good news for us. The best solution is he can finish the season with us, and for him next summer is better to change team."

Chelsea face Caicedo decision

Both Chelsea and Liverpool are desperate to strengthen their midfield but the Blues are thought to be frontrunners for Caicedo, with Jurgen Klopp admitting his side may struggle to raise the funds for any other January signings.

Caicedo is thought to be Chelsea’s top transfer target after they opted against paying Enzo Fernandez’s €120m release clause at Benfica but the club may move onto other targets after De Zerbi’s comments.

Brighton’s business model is aimed at selling their young talent at the right price, meaning there is still a chance Caicedo could leave this month if Chelsea continue to flex their financial muscle, having already spent more than £150m this month.

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Chelsea and Brighton have a strong relationship after conducting business with each other a number of times in recent months but the Seagulls are reluctant to completely destabilise their season and lose another key player following Trossard’s move to Arsenal.

As a result, Chelsea may have to significantly improve their offer if they wish to sign Caicedo in January or look elsewhere to add reinforcements to their ailing midfield.