Chelsea are set to test Brighton’s resolve by making an improved bid for Moises Caicedo.
Backed by new owner Todd Boehly, the Blues have embarked on an unprecedented January spree which saw Noni Madueke become their sixth signing this month already on Friday night following his arrival from PSV Eindhoven.
Central midfield remains the one area of his squad that Potter has been unable to bolster so far this month and views Ecuador international Caicedo as the ideal man to fill the void created by N’Golo Kante’s long-term absence.
Chelsea have long-been linked with West Ham captain Declan Rice but with their east London rivals demanding close to £100million the Blues have opted to look elsewhere.
Caicedo shot to prominence last season under Potter at Brigthon and Chelsea have already seen one offer of £55million knocked back by the Seagulls, who on Friday sold Leandro Trossard to Arsenal.
According to The Mirror, Chelsea will return with an improved bid of £65m and are hopeful it will be enough to tempt Brighton into parting with another of their prize assets.
‘It is difficult to change with another player now at this stage,’ said a worried Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi on Friday.
‘I hope he finishes the season with us, but it’s always difficult to be certain.
‘When big teams want our players, it’s good news for the club. 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.
‘I don’t know if he will continue to play like this – the last games – it is possible he can leave for another team [in the summer].’
MORE : Gus Poyet tells Chelsea to hijack Arsenal transfer move for Declan Rice
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