Brighton send Chelsea subtle Moises Caicedo message as £100m price tag is confirmed

Brighton have confirmed they are happy to keep Moises Caicedo this season if an acceptable offer is not received by the end of the transfer window.

Chelsea have been in a long discussion with Brighton for the midfielder but Seagulls have maintained only a fee in the region of £100million will be enough to convince them to part ways with their Ecuadorian midfielder.

The Blues have had three offers including a £80milliin bid for the midfielder knocked back. Premier League giants Chelsea had wanted the player to be ready for the Premier League opener against Liverpool but the summer's biggest transfer story has not been resolved.

Brighton’s Technical Director David Weir told Sky Sports when asked about the situation of the midfielder: “We’ve not had an acceptable offer for Moises, so it’s really clear for us. “He’s our player, he’s under contract for us and has been a big part of our success. “There’s been a lot of info in the media, but we’re really calm. Until something happens that works for us, that will remain the case [that he stays].”

Caicedo has missed training in the last two days but manager Roberto De Zerbi is not losing sleep and says he’ll be happy to have the 21-year-old if the club can not agree a fee with Chelsea.

He told reporters: “I don’t know [if he’ll be back in training tomorrow, If Moises leaves, we will find another important player. And if Moises stays, I will be happy for us, for the team, for the club.

Chelsea have sold almost 10 first-team players this season and new boss Mauricio Pochettino has made the Ecuador international his prime target for the transfer window.