What Chelsea and Liverpool target Moises Caicedo ‘actually wants’ as ‘£115m deal close’

Moises Caicedo’s intention is to play for a ‘top club’ amid claims he only wants to leave Brighton and Hove Albion for Chelsea.

The player has been involved in a dramatic transfer battle between Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea but reports claim the Blues are close to agreeing a British record £115m for the player.

Reports on Friday claimed Caicedo only wanted to join Chelsea after Liverpool had a £111m bid accepted by Brighton for the player.

While the player’s preference is to move to Stamford Bridge, The Independent reports he is not against a move to Anfield with the midfielder keen to play for a top club.

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal with Brighton worth £115m - beating Liverpool’s offer which was submitted and accepted on Thursday night.

Brighton are interested in Leeds midfielder and USMNT captain Tyler Adams after his move to Chelsea collapsed earlier this week.

The Stamford Bridge club had met his reported £20m relegation release clause but the deal fell through amid the Blues’ pursuit of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia which could cost them up to £170m.

Brighton are consigned to losing Caicedo, meaning they will be on the hunt for replacements and the Independent reports Adams is one of the names the south coast club are considering. Seagulls manager Roberto De Zerbi said has admitted the club need more players amid their reported interest in Adams.

Speaking on the Caicedo saga, De Zerbi said on Friday: “I have already forgotten about Moises. I’m really proud of the players we have in the squad. We want to keep improving. The credit goes to the club. Bigger clubs can buy our players but they can’t buy our soul or spirit. We don’t have enough [players] yet, we need to complete the squad. I want players who want to come here.”

Meanwhile, Kasper Schmeichel is being targeted by Chelsea with Kepa Arrizabalaga set to join Real Madrid on a season-long loan, according to the Guardian.

The 36-year-old started his career with Manchester City but spent most of his time with the club out on loan. He joined Notts County in 2009 before signing for Leeds a year later. He lasted just one season at Elland Road as he joined Leicester City for an undisclosed fee in 2011.

He spent 11 years with the Foxes before joining Nice last summer but could be on his way back to England as Chelsea look to bolster their goalkeeping ranks.