Chelsea still have a way to sign Pochettino’s ‘dream’ £100m target as Brighton break silence on Caicedo

Brighton and Hove Albion insist Moises Caicedo’s absence from their game against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday which happened to be their last pre-season match before they open their Premier League campaign against newly promoted side Luton this weekend was to give the midfielder needed rest.

The Ecuador international is Chelsea’s prime transfer target this summer and the Blues have had multiple bids for the 21-year-old rejected including a stunning £80million offer that was expected to turn heads in Sussex.

Brighten value Caicedo at £100million and even though Chelsea have just signed Robert Sanchez for £25million from the Seagulls- they still maintain the midfielder will only leave when they are satisfied with a fee. The Blues are working on a new deal as Pochettino is keen on having the 21-year-old to add quality and experience to his team.

His absence from the game over the weekend has however raised doubts as to whether he would be at the club by the time the transfer window closes but Brighton’s executive Paul Barber says the midfielder’s absence was to give him a rest and not because Chelsea were reportedly closing in on him.

He told reports ahead of the game against the Spanish side: “We’re looking forward to Moises starting the season with us, he’s a Brighton player under a long-term contract.

“He’s probably one of the most exciting young midfield players in the world at the moment and we’re delighted to have him his absence was to give him a rest.”

Chelsea are also still hopeful of bringing in a striker once they sort out the Romelu Lukaku situation with Juventus still keen even though their interest and Lukaku’s supposed willingness has ended rivals Inter Milan’s pursuit.

On the injury front, the Blues are hopeful that French striker Christopher Nkunku should be out of the game against Liverpool even though the injury he picked up against Dortmund in the States is not expected to be long-term.