Chelsea moves fast as they launch £98 million emergency Moises Caicedo backup

Chelsea move fast as they launch £98 million emergency Moises Caicedo backup

Chelsea have been dealt a major blow in the race to sign Moises Caicedo, so Mauricio Pochettino must sign an alternative. The 21-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for much of the summer transfer window, but now the Blues look set to miss out.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool have reached an agreement with Brighton to sign Caicedo for a £110million. The report states that the Seagulls held an auction, using Thursday evening at the deadline.

It’s said that Chelsea submitted a £100m offer, but they were outbid by the Reds. The Athletic add that the Ecuador international is expected to agree personal terms with Jurgen Klopp’s side and a medical has been scheduled to take place in in Merseyside on Friday.

Here are three players Chelsea should sign if Liverpool manage to wrap up a deal for Caicedo.

Romeo Lavia

Chelsea sent a £48million bid, including add-ons, to Southampton for Romeo Lavia on Wednesday evening. However, the proposal is £2m below the Saints’ asking price – a fee which Liverpool have failed to offer after three bites of the cherry.

It’s believed that the Blues are in talks with Southampton, who are open to selling the 19-year-old following their relegation to the Championship. Chelsea are long admirers of Romeo Lavia and he’s somebody who has been on their radar for a while.

The west Londoners initially opened talks with the Saints over a potential deal a couple of months ago, but nothing progressed. Now, the west Londoners appear to have reignited their pursuit of the teenage sensation with Caicedo set to join the Reds.

Sofyan Amrabat

Sofyan Amrabat has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League following his eye-catching performances for Morocco at the World Cup in Dubai. The 26-year-old has also reportedly been subject to interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid and Juventus, which could make a potential deal difficult to complete.

Available for as little as £30m, Amrabat would be a shrewd acquisition who would add much-needed experience to the Blues midfield. While the Fiorentina star isn’t necessarily as proficient of a ball-winner as Caicedo – like Lavia – he had the ability to dictate play, allowing Enzo Fernandez to roam forward and capitalise on his technical excellence in the final third.

Tyler Adams

Chelsea activated the £20m relegation clause in Tyler Adams’ contract at Leeds United on Thursday, It’s believed that the Blues agreed personal terms with the 24-year-old’s agent in London and medical tests will now follow.

Unfortunately, Adams is currently nursing a hamstring injury which he suffered last season, so there is no immediate rush to bring him to Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, the Blues are believed to be huge admirers and they fully expect to sign him in the coming days.

The United States international would further bolster Pochettino’s midfield options, however his arrival would still need to be followed by at least either Lavia and Amrabat, who he would likely deputise.

Ultimatum

In an ideal world, Chelsea would sign all three. However, there’s still plenty of work to be done to sign Lavia and Amrabat looks set to join Atletico Madrid.