Chelsea’s £55m Moises Caicedo bid rejected as Blues seek Enzo Fernandez alternative

Chelsea have seen a £55 million bid for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo rejected, according to reports.

The Blues have been in the market for midfield reinforcements during the January transfer window.

However, they have not been able to land a first team midfielder despite signing five players so far – seeing a bid for Enzo Fernandez rejected earlier this month.

It is believed that PSV winger Noni Madueke is set to become the sixth signing of the window, and it now appears that the Blues are turning to midfielders.

READ MORE: Chelsea agree fee for PSV winger Noni Madueke

Andrey Santos arrived in the opening days of the transfer window but is yet to train with the first team at Stamford Bridge despite the move.

The 18-year-old is seen as one for the future, but Graham Potter is keen to add somebody who can help now.

With N’Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek sustaining injuries this season, Denis Zakaria is the latest name to be ruled out for the next month.

Jorginho and Kante see their contracts expire in the summer and neither has committed to an extension yet.

READ MORE: All the details ahead of Noni Madueke’s Chelsea transfer including medical date, debut day and transfer fee

As reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic, Chelsea have now had an offer rejected by Brighton for midfielder Caicedo.

The Ecuador international was fantastic at the World Cup, despite his country going crashing out in the group stages.

It is alleged that the club made a bid in writing this week which was worth £55 million, but the Seagulls value the 21-year-old considerably higher.

The stance at Brighton remains that their midfielder is not for sale in the January transfer window.

Ornstein continues to report that the proposal is far below what Brighton would consider, let alone accept.

Caicedo is among a list of options for the Blues in the January transfer window as they look to add to their ranks, with Madueke set to arrive in the coming days.

It remains to be seen as to whether Potter’s side will return for Caicedo this transfer window, but the interest remains strong.