Chelsea have £80 MILLION Moises Caicedo transfer offer rejected
Brighton have rejected an offer of £80 million from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo, according to Sky Sports.
The Seagulls, who lost 4-3 to the Blues in a friendly last week, had previously turned down an offer of £70m.
It is thought that Declan Rice's £105m move from West Ham to Arsenal has played a part in their valuation.
As such, Roberto De Zerbi's side are reportedly holding out for a fee in the region of £100m.
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Chelsea are now deciding whether to go back in for the Ecuador international.
He is clearly their first choice defensive midfielder, to partner alongside record signing Enzo Fernandez.
And this is how Chelsea will line up if they are able to get the deal over the line this summer.
Chelsea’s XI with Caicedo
Kepa Arrizbalaga will reportedly be trusted with the gloves by Pochettino, despite previous rumours that he might leave along with Edouard Mendy.
Reece James now has cover from Malo Gusto in case of injury, but he will keep his berth at right-back. The same can be said for Ben Chilwell on the left, who will be first-choice but has Marc Cucurella as his back-up.
Wesley Fofana’s ACL injury has ruled him out until 2024 and therefore Thiago Silva will likely be the one turned to on the right of the centre-back pairing, with Levi Colwill on the left.
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Caicedo will partner Enzo if he arrives, with that pair providing a nice balance of defensive discipline, press-resistance and passing range.
Christopher Nkunku could be used as a central striker by Pochettino, but he looks perfectly suited to be deployed in a similar role to the one Dele performed at Spurs.
Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling is the most likely wing combination, although Noni Madueke will see considerable minutes on the right, while summer signing Nicolas Jackson will lead the line.