Chelsea shift focus to Caicedo after missing out on Ugarte to PSG

Chelsea will turn their focus towards a move for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo after missing out on the signing of Manuel Ugarte.

Chelsea had agreed to meet Ugarte’s £52m release clause at Sporting Lisbon, but withdrew their interest in the midfielder after Paris Saint-Germain offered the 21-year-old higher wages.

PSG are now set to announce the signing of Ugarte, who is understood to have completed medical tests and signed documents with the Ligue 1 side, with Chelsea now prepared to switch focus to alternative targets.

The Evening Standard are reporting that Chelsea will now push for a deal to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton. Chelsea’s interest in the Ecuadorian had been independent of the club’s pursuit of Ugarte, but the west Londoners will now increase efforts to sign the 21-year-old.

Chelsea had been interested in a deal for Caicedo during the January transfer window, but Brighton resisted approaches from the Blues and Arsenal as the Seagulls pushed for European qualification.

Arsenal also retain interest in the midfielder, who is valued at around £80m at the Amex Stadium, while Liverpool have been credited as admirers.

Caicedo has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best young talents at Brighton and ranked second in the division for interceptions and tackles in 2022/23.

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