Chelsea may have made a significant mistake in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo when negotiating a separate deal to sign Robert Sanchez. The Blues have been locked in talks with Brighton for the majority of the summer transfer window but are yet to match the midfielder’s £100million valuation with the 2023/24 Premier League campaign under a week away.
Mauricio Pochettino identified Caicedo as his top target following his appointment at Stamford Bridge, with the Ecuador international seen as the ideal player to slot in alongside Enzo Fernandez in midfield. Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were among the stars in that department to be offloaded to raise funds for the pursuit.

However, despite their increased budget, Chelsea have seen several bids rejected for Caicedo this summer, with their most recent £80m offer being turned away within moments of the offer being tabled. Brighton are in no rush to sell and have made that clear to the player and his entourage, relaying the message that the playmaker will only be allowed to depart on their own accord.

The Blues were previously optimistic that they could negotiate a lesser fee, but Caicedo’s recently-signed contract with Brighton means they have significant leverage in negotiations, and Chelsea may have provided the Seagulls with another reason to stick to their guns when discussing a potential transfer over the next few weeks.

According to Di Marzio, Brighton were willing to reduce their asking price for Sanchez in negotiations earlier this week, striking a deal for £25m (£20m base fee with £5m add-ons) rather than the £30m that Roberto De Zerbi’s side had initially demanded.

Although that appears a positive piece of business on the surface for Chelsea, failing to cough up a further £5m could therefore cost them significantly further down the line, with Brighton now capable of pointing to their own compromise as a reason why they won’t budge on their asking price for Caicedo. The ball is therefore firmly in Stamford Bridge to pay the additional £20m required or walk away from their top target.

Brighton feel that Caicedo should be valued similarly to Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal in a deal worth £105m earlier this summer. However, the player and his agents are fearful that demanding such a mammoth fee could prompt Chelsea to turn their attention to alternative targets.

Southampton star Romeo Lavia is the midfielder highlighted as being the ‘next best’ option, though time is running out for the Blues if they are to reignite their interest in the Belgian international. Liverpool are preparing another offer for the Saints player and have convinced the playmaker that a move to Anfield is the next best step in his career.

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