Chelsea completed a Premier League record transfer for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo this week, paying Albion £115million to secure the Ecuadorian’s services
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi says the club are working on signing a new midfielder following the sale of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea.
Caicedo completed a Premier League record £115million move to Stamford Bridge this week, with the fee paid eclipsing the £107million that Chelsea paid Benfica for Enzo Fernandez in January
Albion had previously accepted a £111million bid for the Ecuadorian from Liverpool but the player rejected the chance to move to Anfield, leaving Brighton chiefs to quickly negotiate a new deal with Chelsea after it became clear that Caicedo’s preference was a move to west London.
His presence in the Seagulls’ midfield last season was crucial to Brighton’s domestic success, with the 21-year-old helping Albion finish sixth in the Premier League and qualify for European football for the first time in the club’s history
Replacing the midfielder will be no easy feat, but the Sussex side are already working on bringing in a new player to help ease the burden left by Caicedo’s exit.
Speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon ahead of Brighton’s clash with Wolves this weekend, De Zerbi said: “We are working on a new midfielder, but I don’t know the situation.
Brighton CEO explains ‘unusual’ way Chelsea beat Liverpool to Moises Caicedo transfer
“That is not my focus, I am focused on the game. We have to adapt and play a different way, we are looking at different strategies because Moises is a unique and top player. Without him we have to find the right balance.
Brighton take on Wolves at Molineux this weekend where they’ll be hoping to back up their 4-1 win over Luton Town on the opening day of the Premier League season with another three points here.
Goals from Solly March, Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra and Evan Ferguson secured the Seagulls’ victory at the Amex, putting them second in the table behind only Newcastle on goal difference.
They now face a Wolves side under new management with former Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil in the dugout. The Wanderers suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Manchester United in their opening fixture of the season where they were cruelly denied a late penalty by officials after Andre Onana’s clumsy challenge on Sasa Kalajdzic.
