Chelsea Transfer News Today: Pochettino CLOSING IN on Caicedo, WONDERKID boost, Mount bid REJECTED
Graham Shaw
- Updated: 16 Jun 2023 01:02 CDT
- 5 min read
Chelsea are set to pounce to complete the signing of Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo from under the noses of London rivals Arsenal.
While the Gunners instead prioritise deals for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice and Chelsea's own striker Kai Havertz, their long-running pursuit of Caicedo is no longer a top priority.
That presents an opportunity for Mauricio Pochettino and co - one which we can exclusively reveal they are ready to take with both hands.
MORE: The best available free transfers in the summer of 2023
We are told Caicedo is asking for wages of £200,000 per week, which Chelsea are prepared to pay. Another deciding factor is the money offered to Caicedo's agent.
Earlier this week, we reported that the Blues were pushing hard to strike a deal and that they were the more likely to meet the agent's sizeable demands. This is clearly the case, and the agent has been urging his client to pick Stamford Bridge over the Emirates.
The financial package Chelsea are willing to offer is so attractive that Caicedo is unconcerned the Blues will not be playing European football next season after a disastrous Premier League season in 2022-23.
WONDERKID boost as Pochettino pins hopes on Andrey Santos
Chelsea wonderkid Andrey Santos has been granted a US visa which will allow him to take part in the Blues' preseason tour.
Santos joined the Blues from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama for €12 million in January but was sent back on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.
The midfielder continued his fine form, which also translated onto the international stage for Brazil's under-20 side.
Chelsea REJECT Man Utd Mason Mount bid
The Blues expect to lose England midfielder Mason Mount this summer - but they will not do so at any price.
Proof of that comes with the news that Mauricio Pochettino has rejected an opening bid of £40m from Man Utd for the highly-rated midfielder.
Chelsea want around £70m for Mount, a fee United are unlikely to pay with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2024.
The likely compromise is likely to be somewhere in the middle - with our own ETV (Estimated Transfer Value) model putting his market value at €68.9m.
Havertz latest as striker AGREES Arsenal contract
Kai Havertz is another star likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after a three-year stay with the club.
The German has failed to fulfil his massive potential with the Blues, despite netting the goal that fired the club to Champions League glory back in 2021.
Now he is being chased by London rivals Arsenal - and we can confirm that the player has agreed a contract with the Gunners.
The stumbling block to a deal being done is now the transfer fee - Chelsea would like to bring in £70m, close to what they paid Bayer Leverkusen to acquire his services. Arsenal meanwhile are looking at a maximum of £55m, leaving the two clubs £15m apart for now.
MORE: Every Premier League signing and done deal in 2023-24
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Read more about: Premier League, Arsenal, Brighton, Chelsea, Man Utd, Andrey Santos, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Moises Caicedo
