Brighton boss De Zerbi will let Caicedo leave - but on one condition amid Chelsea interest

The Ecuador international was subject of a £55million bid from Chelsea on Thursday but Brighton rebuffed the Blues' approach.

Advertisement

It came shortly after the Seagulls agreed the £27million sale of Leandro Trossard to Premier League leaders Arsenal following his fall-out with the Italian manager.

The bid for Caicedo was not an unexpected one considering his links with Chelsea boss Graham Potter and the west London club in the midst of a staggering spending spree.

Whilst De Zerbi appeared pleased at the interest in the 21-year-old midfielder, his condition was clear, that any move should not be sanctioned until the summer.

Advertisement

"Caicedo is very important for us. I hope he finishes the season with us, but it's always difficult to be certain," said De Zerbi said during his press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Leicester.

"The best solution is that he finishes the season with us and for him, in the summer, it's better then if he changes teams."

Chelsea's bid appeared to be a surprising one and far off Brighton's valuation of the player.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Former Brighton boss Potter told reporters in August that £42m would only get you the player's boots when Liverpool showed their interest in Caicedo.

The Blues splashed £60m on left-back Marc Cucurella last summer and considering how highly the club value Caicedo, Chelsea will need to significantly up their offer to land the Ecudorian.

Earlier this month, Brighton chief executive Paul Barber hinted it would take a huge figure to part ways with their star midfielder.

"I'm pleased to say we haven't had any [bids]. Maybe Liverpool haven't got my email because I haven't seen any," Barber told CBS Sports.

Advertisement

"I'm not sure £42m will even include the boots now, maybe just the laces. But joking aside, every player's value is ultimately determined by the market.

"Graham's comments were part in jest but part serious because Moises has been an exceptional player for us.

"Since he came to the Premier League, he has developed all the time. He's a young man with a great attitude, fantastic work ethic and a very nice human being off the pitch.

Advertisement

"So all those things contribute to the value of a footballer should it come to that moment to sell."

Keep up to date with all the latest news, rumours and gossip with our LIVE transfer blog