Chelsea talks for midfield target collapse

Chelsea won the inaugural Premier League Summer Series trophy on Sunday after beating West London rivals Fulham 2-0 in Washington DC. 

First-half goals from Thiago Silva and Christopher Nkunku – the latter’s third goal in four games this summer – were enough to give Mauricio Pochettino’s side victory in their final match of their summer tour of the USA.

Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino used the match to give minutes to several members of his squad, making 11 changes to his side at half-time.

In the first half, Andrey Santos and Enzo Fernandez were used as the Blues’ two central midfielders, while Carney Chukwuemeka and Conor Gallagher also featured.

Chelsea continue to appear short of options in midfield, but it now appears that talks over one of their top targets have collapsed.

According to Football Insider, talks between the Blues and Brighton and Hove Albion over a proposed move for Moises Caicedo are no longer ongoing.

Talks between Chelsea and Brighton for Caicedo have collapsed

The two clubs had been in negotiations for the Ecuador international, but the report claims that talks are no longer active after the Seagulls rejected a second offer for the player.

Caicedo, 21, joined Brighton back in 2021 and was introduced to the first team midway through the 2021/22 season.

The midfielder has now made a total of 53 appearances across all competitions for the south coast outfit, and impressed last season as Roberto De Zerbi’s side qualified for the Europa League for the first time ever.

The Ecuadorian is said to have already agreed personal terms with Chelsea, but the proposed move now appears to be in doubt.

Brighton are standing firm on their £100 million valuation of the midfielder and have therefore rejected Chelsea’s second offer, believed to be worth £80 million.

Back in January, Caicedo was a target for Arsenal but a deal never materialised and the player then signed a new long-term contract with his current side shortly after.