Chelsea have been handed a potential transfer incentive to increase their offer for Brighton star Moises Caicedo with a potential replacement for the midfielder on the verge of joining the Seagulls. 




Chelsea sent their opening bid of £55million to 'test the water', but saw it rejected with Brighton demanding upwards of £75million. The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge following the appointment of Graham Potter. Despite signing six players in January with Noni Madueke following Mykhailo Mudryk, Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana through the door at Stamford Bridge on Friday, a new central midfielder, which is a position in desperate need of recruitment, is yet to be acquired.

Benfica star Enzo Fernandez was the player of interest at the start of the window, but his £106million release clause proved to be a major stumbling block in negotiations. Brighton duo Alexis Mac Allister and Caicedo then emerged as the desired alternatives, with the latter now seemingly deemed as the primary target. Caicedo, whose current deal on the south coast expires in 2025, has been one of many Brighton players to receive plaudits for his performances this season. The 21-year-old has featured 20 times for the Seagulls this campaign, directly contributing to two goals. After losing Leandro Trossard to Arsenal earlier this week, it is unlikely Brighton will sanction a mid-season departure for another important first-team player. However, Roberto De Zerbi's latest admission on Caicedo seems to indicates he has accepted the Ecuador international will leave the club, but hopes it's not this month.