Chelsea near personal terms with Moises Caicedo as Brighton stands firm on transfer fee

Brighton is said to be looking for a sum close to £100m to sell their midfielder Moises Caicedo, and Chelsea is close to agreeing with the Ecuadorian international's personal terms. Meanwhile, Arsenal remains interested but focused on Declan Rice.

According to 90min, Brighton is willing to demand more than £80m to part ways with Caicedo, who is currently in high demand. Chelsea is emerging as the leading suitor for the player, while Arsenal is also keeping an eye on him. Still, they seem to be more interested in Declan Rice, for whom an offer has been rejected by West Ham United.

Although negotiations between Brighton and Chelsea are ongoing, sources say that Chelsea is making progress in their talks with Caicedo's representatives. They are close to finalizing a personal terms agreement. The club never doubted that they could meet the player's demands.

It is believed that Brighton could demand a fee closer to £100m for Caicedo, who is on Arsenal's radar but is lower on their priority list due to their pursuit of Rice. Chelsea has been in constant communication with Brighton throughout the summer over a variety of issues, including their interest in Levi Colwill and Conor Gallagher. Chelsea is now looking to come to an agreement over a fee.

Scouts have been following Caicedo since his time in Ecuador with Independiente del Valle - the same club responsible for the 16-year-old wonderkid Kendry Paez, who will join the Blues in 2025. Brighton would be open to including Gallagher in any deal for Caicedo, as the midfielder has interest from Newcastle, Tottenham, and West Ham. Gallagher may be among a number of midfielders leaving Stamford Bridge this summer.

Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, discusses the latest transfer news, including the future of Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi's shock move to Inter Miami, Declan Rice's proposed Arsenal deal.