Chelsea Agree £115m Deal for Moises Caicedo

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo for a British record fee of £115m.

Liverpool agreed a £111m deal for the 21-year-old Ecuador player on Friday.

But Caicedo's preference is Chelsea and they have finally succeeded with a bid after having a succession of proposals rejected by Brighton this summer.

The fee means Chelsea will break the British record twice in 2023, following the £107m purchase of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January.

Caicedo, who was left out of Brighton's squad for their season-opening win at home to Luton Town, is still to have a medical.

It is understood the initial fee is £100m, with half of the additional payments said to be easily achievable, while Brighton have also negotiated a sell-on clause.

Brighton had set a fee in excess of £100m for Caicedo this summer and said they felt no-one would reach it. Chelsea are believed to have bid £80m previously.

In his news conference before the Seagulls' game against Luton, manager Roberto de Zerbi said he had "already forgotten" about Caicedo, adding: "Bigger clubs can buy our players but they can't buy our soul or spirit."

Caicedo joined Brighton from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle for £4m in February 2021, although he did not make his Premier League debut until April 2022.