Chelsea are readying a formal approach for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to a report.
The 21-year-old tried and failed to push for a move away from the Amex Stadium in January, when he was the subject of two rejected bids from Arsenal.
Caicedo memorably took to social media to voice his desire to leave, but Brighton stood firm and rebuffed the Gunners' advances before tying the midfielder down to a new deal until 2027.
However, Caicedo's renewal was believed to have been for financial reasons rather than any expectation of keeping him at the club for the long-term, with the Seagulls simply hoping to garner as high a fee as possible from any sale.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that Caicedo may have played his final game for the club, and Chelsea are thought to be the leading contenders to sign the former Independiente del Valle man this summer.
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With the Blues on the verge of sealing several high-profile departures, Sky Sports News claims that they will soon step up their interest in Caicedo with a formal offer.
Chelsea have already waved goodbye to N'Golo Kante, who has joined Al-Ittihad on a free transfer, while Mateo Kovacic is set to join Manchester City in a £30m deal.
Furthermore, Kai Havertz will soon undergo a medical ahead of a £65m move to Arsenal, while Hakim Ziyech, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly are all on their way to Saudi Arabia.
Uncertainty also lingers over the futures of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher, with the latter on the radar of Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur as well as Brighton.
Chelsea are holding off on tabling big-money bids until sales are made, but there is hope that a spate of exits will go through before the end of the month, allowing them to accelerate their efforts to bring Caicedo to the club.
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The Ecuador international was courted by Manchester United in 2021, but the Red Devils passed up on the opportunity to sign him, allowing Brighton to strike a £4.3m deal.
Following a loan spell with Beerschot V.A. in Belgium, Caicedo has established himself as a vital player for Brighton with two goals and three assists from 53 matches in all tournaments.
The 21-year-old scored one goal and set up one more in 37 Premier League affairs last season, helping the Seagulls finish sixth in the table to qualify for the 2023-24 Europa League.
Arsenal are believed to retain an interest in Caicedo, but the Gunners are currently prioritising moves for Havertz, Declan Rice and Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
Chelsea have already confirmed the signing of Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig and are also working on a deal for Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson, but they are yet to agree a payment structure for his €35m (£30.1m) release clause.
Ben Knapton
