Chelsea have held extensive talks with Brighton for Moises Caicedo (MB Media/Getty)
Chelsea are unwilling to meet Brighton’s £100 million asking price for Moises Caicedo, according to reports.
Mauricio Pochettino is keen to strengthen his midfield options this summer with N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek already leaving Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have made Caicedo one of their top midfield targets and have held extensive talks with Brighton over a deal for the Ecuador international.
But according to The Guardian, progress in negotiations have slowed this week as Chelsea and Brighton have reached an impasse over the transfer fee.
The report claims that Brighton are holding out for £100m for Caicedo as they believe a ‘benchmark’ has been set by Arsenal’s £105m deal with West Ham for Declan Rice.
Chelsea, however, hope an £80m proposal will be enough to secure an agreement with Brighton.
Brighton are demanding £100m for Moises Caicedo (Getty)
It’s understood that Chelsea had a £60m offer for Caicedo rejected by Brighton earlier this summer.
Brighton also turned down multiple offers from Arsenal for the Ecuador international in the January window.
Arsenal’s highest offer of £70m was not enough to convince Brighton and it’s unlikely that Mikel Arteta’s side will return with a higher bid this summer.
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Meanwhile, The Guardian also reports that Chelsea will hold talks to sign Gabri Veiga from Celta Vigo next week.
The 21-year-old, who is also on the radar of Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona, has a €40m (£34.4m) buyout clause in his deal with Celta Vigo.
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Talks between Chelsea and Brighton have slowed this week.