Liverpool have made a bid for Chelsea-linked Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to reports.
Brighton reportedly rejected two bids from Arsenal for the Ecuadorian midfielder in the January transfer window and have been fending off interest from Chelsea all summer long.
The Blues have bid as high as £80million but are reluctant to meet the Seagulls’ £100m valuation of the player.
Liverpool have always been lurking in the background but their blasé approach to signing Southampton’s Romeo Lavia indicated they would not break the bank for Caicedo.
Perhaps out of desperation as the Premier League season gets underway this weekend, the Reds have ‘outbid’ Chelsea for Caicedo, says The Telegraph journalist Matt Law.
In a blow to Liverpool, Law says Caicedo still ‘prefers’ a move to Stamford Bridge.
This is despite Jurgen Klopp’s side playing in the Europa League this season, while Chelsea will be restricted to domestic football following their 12th-place finish in the Premier League last term.
Law adds that Liverpool’s offer ‘helps explain’ why Chelsea usurped the Reds’ bid for Lavia, offering Southampton £48m – which is £2m short of the Saints’ asking price – on Wednesday.
Liverpool’s ‘late attempt to hijack the deal’ for Mauricio Pochettino’s ‘top target’ could also be linked to reports that Brighton recently received a bid from a ‘mystery club’.
Caicedo has always favoured a move to Stamford Bridge and on several occasions has voiced his admiration of the Blues.
Speaking earlier this summer, the 21-year-old told TC Deportes: “It’s a big team (Chelsea), that’s true. A very historic team which I can’t say no [to joining] because it’s a very big, historic, beautiful team.
“The city as well is beautiful. It’s got everything beautiful.”
On reported transfer interest, Caicedo also said: “What guy wouldn’t want them to be talking about him?
“I know how to handle it. I don’t get carried away by emotions. I’m enjoying time with my family for now. There is pressure, but I am calm.
“I am waiting for whatever God decides. He willl know what is best for me.”
In what is a midfield transfer merry-go-round, Chelsea have now reportedly triggered the £20m release clause in Tyler Adams’ Leeds United contract and appear to be leading the race to sign Lavia, which could give Liverpool a free run at Caicedo.
