Chelsea tell Brighton how much they will pay for Graham Potter protégé

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 15 May 2023 07:46 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are preparing to spend big on midfielder Moises Caicedo of Brighton this summer, according to a report.

The Blues are seeking a player who can act as a long-term replacement for N’Golo Kante, who has missed much of this season due to injury and is set to miss another period after suffering another issue in training.

One of the possibilities that Chelsea have earmarked is Ecuador international Caicedo.

MORE: Arsenal fans 'won't forgive' transfer target Caicedo for injuring Martinelli

The 21-year-old, who was signed by ex-Blues boss Graham Potter, might have completed a move to Arsenal, but the Gunners failed with an approach late in the January transfer window. He has since signed a new Brighton contract but it is unlikely that he will remain on the south coast beyond the summer.

The Seagulls, though, will only sell for a huge fee – and Chelsea are lining up a bid that they hope will be sufficient to prise the youngster away from the AmEx Stadium.

According to Fichajes, Chelsea are lining up a transfer bid of £70 million (€80m).

MORE: Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter set for new job

What does Caicedo's future hold?

FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal have made Caicedo their summer window priority, but like in the case of Mykhailo Mudryk in January, they will not bid above their valuation of the player. As such, if the Blues are willing to go higher than their London rivals, they have a strong shot of landing the energetic midfielder.

Other clubs are likely to take an interest in the South American, too.

Manchester United and Liverpool are both in need of a central midfielder this summer, with the Anfield club having been credited with an interest in Caicedo already.

Caicedo’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has been rapidly rising, meanwhile. Rated at under €5m in May 2022, his value is now above €30m, and the Premier League’s top clubs are gambling on that rapid progression continuing with the big sums they are ready to spend this summer.