Chelsea are expected to launch a fourth bid to sign Moises Caicedo (Picture: Getty)
Brighton are ‘not expecting’ Chelsea or any other club to match their £100m+ valuation of Moises Caicedo this summer, according to reports.
That would likely see Caicedo remain on the south coast despite intense transfer speculation over the Ecuador international midfielder.
Chelsea and Brighton have been locked in talks over a move for Caicedo all summer and the west Londoners have seen three offers turned down.
The Seagulls also rejected a bid from an unnamed mystery club on Wednesday, believed to be worth more than Chelsea’s third offer of £80m.
Brighton want to secure a similar fee to the £105m Arsenal paid for Declan Rice in order to part ways with Caicedo and do not appear to be softening their stance.
Sky Sports report that Brighton have been ‘impressed’ by Caicedo’s attitude amid the speculation over his future – and despite rumours that Chelsea will launch an improved fourth bid – the Seagulls do not think the Blues will pay his price tag.
The relationship between Chelsea and Brighton is believed to be tense and was further damaged by the Blues’ refusal to let Levi Colwill join them this summer.
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Brighton were hoping to land Colwill as part of a swap deal for Caicedo but Mauricio Pochettino stepped in and blocked the move as he is a huge fan of the young English defender and did not want to let him leave Stamford Bridge.
Colwill subsequently signed a new long-term contract at Chelsea, although Pochettino has sent him a warning over playing time.
Chelsea and Brighton still appear to be willing to do business together after the two clubs reached an agreement over a transfer for Robert Sanchez on Thursday.
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The relationship between Chelsea and Brighton is tense…