Chelsea are set to launch an improved second bid to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo this summer, according to reports.
The Blues are believed to be close to agreeing personal terms with the player but Brighton rejected Chelsea’s opening offer of £60m.
The Seagulls want Chelsea to pay whatever Declan Rice sells for this summer – likely to be around £100m – but it is thought that £80m could be enough to convince them as the Blues prepare their second offer for the player, report the Daily Mail.
Caicedo has reportedly decided on a move to Stamford Bridge and ‘final negotiations’ are underway as Chelsea and Brighton look to agree on a fee.
The Ecuador international impressed for Brighton last season as they qualified for the Europa League with a remarkable sixth-placed finish in the Premier League.
As Chelsea get closer to securing a deal for Caicedo, it is undoubtedly a blow to Arsenal and Manchester United.
Arsenal almost signed Caicedo in January and were again linked with a move this summer – but decided to pull out of the race to prioritise a move for Declan Rice.
However, Manchester City are growing confident of securing Rice’s signature, meaning Arsenal could now miss out on both players.
United, meanwhile, were hoping to enter the race for Caicedo in case a deal for Mason Mount fell through.
The Red Devils have set a deadline for the deal to sign Mount to be completed after they saw two bids rejected.
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