CHELSEA have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Moises Caicedo.
The Blues are chasing after a new midfielder with Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic set to follow N’Golo Kante away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
And Fabrizio Romano claims personal terms with Caicedo are all wrapped up.
However, the West Londoners still need to settle on a fee with Brighton, who are notoriously tough negotiators and will refuse to be bullied into selling their star asset.
The Seagulls – who received huge compensation when Graham Potter left for Chelsea last September – rejected a bid worth £75million from Arsenal in January for Caicedo.
And they are determined to hold out for around £80m to £100m for their influential midfielder.
It is reported an initial bid of £60m from Chelsea was snubbed earlier in June.
The 32-cap Ecuador international joined Brighton from Independiente del Valle in 2021 and went on loan to Beerschot in 2021-22.
But the 5ft 10ins star rose to prominence under Potter and Roberto De Zerbi last season, making 43 appearances for the south-coast club.
Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked with Caicedo this summer.
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And it looked as though the Red Devils could be in pole position after an interview resurfaced from 2020 in which the midfielder confirmed it was a “dream to play for Manchester United” and follow in the footsteps of compatriot Antonio Valencia.
Now, though, it looks as though Chelsea could come out on top in the race – while Brighton eye a shock swoop for Muhammed Kudus.
Caicedo would fill the gaps created by Kante’s departure, five months after Jorginho joined Arsenal.
And he could be paired up with £106m record-signing Enzo Fernandez under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea have already signed Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig this month in a £52m deal.
They also secured deals with youngsters Dujuan Richards and Kendry Paez, although both players must wait until they turn 18 to move to England and link up with the Blues.
Villarreal ace Nicholas Jackson could also be on his way to Stamford Bridge after reportedly triggering the Senegalese forward’s £30m release clause.
