Chelsea FC are close to finalising a historic £115 million deal for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, reports the Mail.
After ongoing discussions, the West London Blues have come to terms on a fee, with Brighton set to earn at least £100 million upfront and an additional £15 million in potential extras.
The 21-year-old Ecuadorian is expected to undergo a medical within the next 48 hours before committing to a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge.
Previously, Caicedo seemed poised to join Liverpool, who had a £111 million bid accepted by Brighton. However, Chelsea have swiftly made progress over the past two days and reached an agreement with Brighton owner Tony Bloom. The negotiation was led by Paul Winstanley, a former Brighton recruitment specialist now working at Chelsea.
Approximately half of the £15 million in add-ons are considered easily attainable, while the rest are more challenging to meet. Despite this, Chelsea anticipates paying a fee akin to the British record £107 million they paid for Enzo Fernandez in January, with whom the club shares a similar deal structure.
Brighton's initial investment in Caicedo was a mere £4.5 million when they acquired him from Independiente del Valle in 2021, making this a lucrative outcome for the club.
Additionally, Chelsea is offering around £55 million for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia. This player has also been a target for Liverpool, with three unsuccessful bids.
Chelsea's interest in Caicedo persisted throughout the summer, despite concerns of a potential Liverpool takeover. Although Liverpool had agreed to a £111 million fee with Brighton, Chelsea did not hold back in pursuing their priority target and ultimately secured his signature with a £115 million transfer.
Caicedo showcased his skills at Brighton, participating in 37 matches last season as the team clinched a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, thereby earning a spot in the Europa League.
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