Ahead of Chelsea vs Liverpool 2023-2024 Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool have already given the Blues a bitter pill to swallow by outbidding them in their quest to sign Moises Caicedo.
Since last summer, Chelsea have been making efforts to sign Brighton’s Moises Caicedo who is believed to be one of the biggest midfield prospects in the world. This summer alone, Chelsea have made over three bids for the 21-year-old Ecuadorian international but Brighton turned them down because they wanted over £100 million for the youngster.
While Chelsea are contemplating on their next move, Liverpool who have never been involved in the pursuit of the midfielder have suddenly become the frontrunners.
Liverpool made a whopping £111 million bid for Moises Caicedo overnight and as expected Brighton have accepted it.
The price agreed upon for Caicedo is higher than the £107 million Chelsea spent earlier this year on Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez. Hence, when the deal is finalized, Moises Caicedo will become the most expensive player in the history of the Premier League.
While everyone’s attention was focused on Chelsea’s efforts to acquire Caicedo, Billy Hogan, the Reds’ chief executive, reportedly worked covertly behind the scenes to secure this agreement.
Hogan’s strategy helped Liverpool land Caicedo, who Brighton believe may develop into one of the best players in the world.
With Chelsea out-negotiated and out-maneuvered, the West London club might not try to compete with Liverpool’s record bid for the Ecuadorian.
Recall that Moises Caicedo made a £4 million transfer from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle to Brighton in February 2021. He didn’t make his Premier League debut until April 2022.
Caicedo asked to leave Brighton during the January transfer window. Following that, Brighton rejected several bids from Arsenal before the player decided to sign a new contract with the Seagulls in March that will keep him there until 2027.
If he moves to Liverpool for £111 million this summer, Brighton are expected to pay Independiente del Valle 20 percent of the fee based on the sell-on clause in his current contract.
