Chelsea set to miss out on Moises Caicedo transfer as Liverpool agree British record £110m fee

Chelsea have missed out on the transfer of Moises Caicedo from Brighton as Liverpool agreed a £110 million fee for the midfielder.

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for the Seagulls midfielder this summer but have been left disappointed.

While the club’s sporting directors have been locked in talks with Brighton for the midfielder this summer, Roberto de Zerbi’s side were reluctant to budge on their high asking price for Caicedo.

Late competition emerged from Liverpool as Chelsea’s clash against Jurgen Klopp’s men on Sunday approached.

As reported by David Ornstein, the Reds reached an agreement late on Friday morning to sign the Ecuador international.

It is understood that Brighton held an auction with a cut-off point at midnight on Thursday, with Liverpool ending up the highest bidders.

Chelsea submitted an offer worth £100 million, but Liverpool’s £110 million offer was accepted.

Mauricio Pochettino has made it abundantly clear that he wants midfield reinforcements, saying: “We need to add some player there (midfield). We need one more with experience.

“That is the idea. We are working, the club is working on that. At the moment we are working to reinforce that area and other areas also.

“The players that are here on the tour are in our plan.”

Pochettino’s side are set to complete the signing of Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams in the coming days, having already triggered his release clause.

A bid for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia was also rejected this week, with it looking likely that the Blues will return now they have missed out on Caicedo.

It remains to be seen as to who will be chosen to partner Enzo Fernandez on the opening day of the Premier League season, with Caicedo looking like he’s on his way to Anfield.

Andrey Santos impressed in pre-season, while Conor Gallagher was also deployed next to Chelsea’s January signing in pre-season.

The Blues’ clash against Liverpool on Sunday has got even more interesting with the Caicedo saga coming to a close and Chelsea missing out on their primary target.