Chelsea transfer for Caicedo set to be HIJACKED as mystery club offer Brighton £80m
CHELSEA have reportedly been joined in the transfer race for Moises Caicedo by a mystery rival.
The Blues have thus far failed to land the Brighton star despite intense interest.
They saw their latest bid of £80million rejected swiftly by Brighton, with the Seagulls holding firm on a £100m price tag.
But now, according to The Athletic, Mauricio Pochettino‘s side have been usurped in the race after an “unidentified club” made an offer ABOVE Chelsea‘s most recent offer.
Sky Sports also report that an unnamed Saudi Arabian club have also made an approach.
No official bid has been submitted to Brighton, but the potential suitors have made clear how much they would be willing to pay.
Chelsea are also understood to be planning an improved offer for Caicedo before the end of the window.
Despite new clubs joining the race, the Blues are said to be confident the midfielder wants to move to Stamford Bridge.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the divisions top talents, prompting ever-increasing interest in his services.
Brighton previously rejected offers from Arsenal in the January transfer window.
DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
However, with the Gunners £105m signing of Declan Rice, Liverpool are among the teams linked with a move for the Ecuadorian.
The Reds are short on midfield options after seeing Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all depart this summer.
Chelsea have also seen a number of outgoings with Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all being sold.
Should Caicedo prove to be unattainable, both teams could make a move to sign Southampton star Romeo Lavia instead.
But is has been claimed that Caicedo wants out of the Amex, with reports suggesting the midfielder told two guests he want to leave during the club’s awards ceremony on Wednesday.
Pochettino has been open with his desire to land a new midfielder.
When asked whether a new midfielder was enough for his squad after Chelsea’s pre-season clash with Newcastle, he replied: “That’s the idea. The club is working on that.
“We need to add a player there. We need one more with experience.
“It depends on the situation of different players. We need at least one more and we are working on that. It depends on what happens in the next few weeks.”
There is a chance that the bid originates from outside the Premier League too.
Saudi Arabia’s ongoing spending spree could have found its way to England’s south Coast, while there is a chance one of European football’s giants could also be involved.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have completed the £23.5m signing of Rennes midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu on a seven-year contract.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football