Caicedo admits he 'can't say no' to Chelsea as transfer edges CLOSER

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 11 Jul 2023 17:52 BST
• 3 min read

Moises Caicedo has admitted that he “can’t say no” to Chelsea as his potential move to Stamford Bridge looms ever closer.

The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder has been identified as the Blues’ number one transfer priority as they look to find a partner for Enzo Fernandez and their hopes of landing the Ecuador international have been given a major boost following his recent comments.

He told Ecuadorian journalist María José Flores: “It’s a big team [Chelsea], that’s true. A very historic team and I can’t say no [to joining] because it’s a very big, historic, beautiful team. The city as well is beautiful.”

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Chelsea's midfield options suddenly look slightly thin following the departures of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek this summer; therefore signing Caicedo is seen as a priority.

The midfielder was on the verge of joining Arsenal in January, but Brighton blocked an exit and the Gunners weren’t prepared to meet their asking price.

As for Chelsea, they will reportedly have to stump up a huge €117 million (£100m) to complete a deal for Caicedo, according to the Telegraph, with the Seagulls demanding a massive transfer fee to sanction another departure to Chelsea.

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What else has Caicedo said?

Just last week, Caicedo admitted to Flores: “I am waiting for whatever God decides because I know he knows what’s best for me.”

However, Gonzalo Plata, one of Caicedo’s Ecuador team-mates, doesn’t believe the midfielder should leave Brighton. “I’d like him to stay [at Brighton] for another season,” he told Marca90EC. “I know he is doing very well there. If he stays another season, he will really take off. Now they are going to play in the Europa League.”

Brighton have already planned for Caicedo’s potential exit, with both James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud arriving on free transfers this window.