Chelsea ‘making progress’ on £80m pursuit as Man United eye key Mason Mount decision

Chelsea are advancing in their pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo amid interest from Manchester United, according to reports.

The 21-year-old is set to leave Brighton this summer and Chelsea have already had a £60 million bid rejected.

Caicedo was the subject of interest from both Chelsea and Arsenal in January, but Brighton held firm and he eventually signed a contract extension down on the south coast.

As Chelsea look to bolster their midfield this summer, which has seen Mauricio Pochettino’s already let go of N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz, Caicedo is the club’s number one target.

Talks were reported to be taking place this week over the Ecuador international, and Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian reports progress is being made.

Caicedo is stated to be ‘eager’ on a summer switch to Stamford Bridge and Brighton could be ready to part ways with him for £80 million.

Man United are also interested in Caicedo and could make a move should their pursuit of Mason Mount fail having had three bids rejected by Chelsea, according to Adrian Kajumba and Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail. Talks are ongoing between Chelsea and Man United over Mount as they look to resolve the transfer saga.

It’s suggested that ‘United sources insist their interest is long-term and genuine’, and it’s not a tactic to try to force Chelsea into softening their stance over Mount.

Chelsea are currently close to adding Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson to their attack after the acquisition of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig. They have also agreed a deal to sign 18-year-old Angelo Gabriel from Santos for €15 million, with the teenager set to join RC Strasbourg on loan once the transfer has been finalised.