Brighton reject Chelsea's £80m bid for Moises Caicedo

The Blues are desperate to add the midfielder to their team

Chelsea's fourth offer of £80 million for Moises Caicedo was abruptly declined by Brighton & Hove Albion. The Seagulls remain adamant about forking out £100 million from the midfielder's exit.

The Ecuadorian international is the Blues' main midfield target this summer, but they have already had offers of £60 million and £70 million turned down.

Fabrizio Romano claims that an additional £80 million offer was made on the last day but was similarly rejected.

The recent transfer of Declan Rice to Arsenal, which Brighton values at more than £100 million, will serve as a benchmark in future discussions. Two Caicedo bids from Arsenal were turned down in the January transfer window.

The Seagulls are prepared to lower their asking price if Chelsea agrees to let Levi Colwill transfer in the opposite direction after the defender impressed during his season-long loan stint at the Coast last year.

However, Levi Colwill is a young centre-back who Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino believes will develop into one of the greatest in the Premier League.

Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and N'Golo Kante are just a few of the midfielders Chelsea sold this summer.

West Ham have also made a £40 million offer for Conor Gallagher because manager Mauricio Pochettino feels the team needs at least one new midfielder before the new season begins.

"We are now striving to strengthen that area as well as other areas. I believe the players that are here with us on the tour are part of Chelsea's and our plans."

"At this time, there is nothing to say about the players present. We are making a lot of effort to attempt to add more participants in various regions, and we hope it is soon achievable."