Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has claimed he doesn't have an agreement with midfield star Moises Caicedo over a move to Chelsea in the summer transfer window. It comes as the Blues continue to make an effort to land the 21-year-old in the coming weeks as football.london understands that Caicedo is a top priority for the club.
The versatile midfielder, who can play deep, more advanced and at right-back, has been the subject of plenty of interest from top clubs. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have been touted with interest in the past few months, but it seems as though their own midfield changes have left an open path for Chelsea to make their move. Mauricio Pochettino has faced a huge rework in his own central ranks this summer.
N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have all left the west London club this window, while football.london understands Tottenham and a whole host of other clubs are following a deal for Conor Gallagher . That could leave Enzo Fernandez as the only senior first- team midfielder available.
That has resulted in the approach for Caicedo this summer, however the move is yet to be confirmed as negotiations continue in the market. Reports have claimed that Brighton have set a price tag of roughly £100million for the youngster, but it remains to be seen if the Blues will match that.
In the mean time, they could see him very soon but not in the blue of Chelsea as the side prepare a clash with the Seagulls in pre-season over the weekend. Naturally, head coach De Zerbi was quizzed over the future of his midfielder, which he gave a firm stance on.
"No it's not true because I am coach, not owner, coach, not sporting director," the Italian said on reports of an agreement to let Caicedo leave. "Believe me, it is difficult to be a coach. In my work, I am used to speaking with my players every day, for every question, every part of life, not only football. But I didn’t give my word for nothing.
"We didn’t speak about the next transfer market window and for me, he is a player like the others. OK, we are Brighton and I can understand we have to sell any player at the end of the season like Mac Allister. But at the moment, I have not received news that Caicedo can leave tomorrow or in the next week. I start the next season with Caicedo in my head in the first 11, for sure.”
When asked about whether he is worth the touted £100million price tag, De Zerbi added:
"You are asking not of my work, my work if you ask me about the full back or midfielder, inside of the pitch I can answer but about the price my work. I think Caicedo is a player of the first XI and about the price, we have an owner, we have CEO, a sporting director who can decide the right price. The manager was quick to shut down questions Caicedo could be unhappy, he added added:
"I think no because Caicedo signed his contract in February and now we are in July and I can't imagine he can change his idea, no? He is honoured to receive other interest but he knows very well our club how they manage and we we will see what happens in the next week."
For De Zerbi, the situation is simple as the saga rumbles on.
"The situation is very clear, I think. At the moment Moises is a Brighton player. I spoke with Tony Bloom and he told me if the conditions don’t change, Moises stays with us. For me it should be great news because it is difficult to find another player like Moises.
If Moises leaves we have to find another player of the same level because we deserve to play the next season with the same level of midfielder. We deserve to play in the Europa League and we have to compete, and we want to compete at our best.
“I think he has to adapt to this situation. Moises is a great player, a big player, but he has to know he is playing for Brighton and give his best to Brighton, not anyone else. He is still a good guy and I have no doubt about Moises’ attitude and behaviour.”