Liverpool have targeted both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia this summer
Moises Caicedo will reportedly sign an eight-year deal at Chelsea as the Stamford Bridge outfit edge ever closer to securing the signature of the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder.
The 21-year-old Ecuadorian has been the subject of a tug-of-war between Chelsea and Liverpool in recent days, with the Reds having a bid of £111 million accepted by the Seagulls on Friday. However, it is believed Caicedo prefers the idea of moving to Stamford Bridge, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side set to launch a £115m bid for Caicedo.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Caicedo will sign an eight-year deal with Chelsea, until 2031, with the option to extend by a further 12 months. It is claimed the midfielder has had personal terms agreed on a deal since the end of May and now all that is left is for Chelsea and Brighton to agree on a deal.
However, whether or not Liverpool do miss out on a deal for Caicedo, captain Virgil van Dijk is looking forward to welcoming new players to Anfield between now and the end of the transfer window.
Speaking to a select group of reporters, including the ECHO, at the AXA Training Centre on Friday, the 32-year-old said: “Obviously, I’m very excited for what I’m seeing, the players coming in. “They are high quality, good guys and they can definitely help the club go forward.
“It will definitely take some time, that’s just normal, and hopefully it will happen as soon as possible. But with the games, they will experience the difficult moments in games, the good moments in games, you know.
“They will get better and we all understand each other and every day much better than we do before, so yeah, it’s looking exciting in my opinion.”
Meanwhile, it appears the future of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia will be decided in the days ahead with boss Russell Martin admitting that all parties need to reach a conclusion. The 19-year-old has been the subject of three rejected bids from Liverpool earlier this month, all of which fell below the Saints’ £50m asking price.
However, on Friday, reports from Belgium claimed Chelsea were close to agreeing a deal for Lavia, who they made a move for under former manager Thomas Tuchel last summer. But speaking after Southampton’s 4-4 draw with Norwich on Sunday, Martin admitted the end of the drawn-out saga is in sight.
“He has been great while his situation has rumbled on for a long time,” said Martin. “That needs to draw to a conclusion quickly for him, for us and for everyone really.
“It’s Seeking slowly towards a conclusion and I think we have been preparing for life without him for the six weeks we’ve been here so it’s not a massive drama.”
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