Liverpool reportedly plan to rival Chelsea for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo if Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both complete moves to Saudi Arabia.
The Reds have already undergone a significant midfield rejig this summer, acquiring the services of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for the 2023-24 season.
Jurgen Klopp has added a youthful look to his engine room in the wake of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner's exits upon the expiration of their contracts, as well as Arthur's return to parent club Juventus.
In addition, Leighton Clarkson has left permanently for Aberdeen, while Portuguese youngster Fabio Carvalho will spend the 2023-24 season on loan at RB Leipzig.
Despite already allowing a plethora of midfielders to head for the exit door, Liverpool could lose another two pillars of their engine room, as Henderson and Fabinho are both being strongly linked with transfers to the Middle East.
© Reuters
Henderson is believed to have verbally agreed a move to Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq, but the Saudi Pro League side are yet to agree a transfer fee with Liverpool, who will not let their captain leave for nothing.
In addition, Saudi champions Al-Ittihad are rumoured to be lining up a £40m offer for Fabinho, whose form dipped dramatically during the 2022-23 season as Liverpool failed to make the top four.
While Liverpool are blessed with options to replace Henderson, the Reds could be forced back into the market for a new number six if Fabinho departs, and Southampton's Romeo Lavia is still believed to be of interest.
Now, talkSPORT claims that Liverpool could also try their luck with Caicedo, who formed an effective pairing with Mac Allister under Roberto De Zerbi to help propel the Seagulls into the Europa League.
Since Manchester United turned down the chance to sign the Ecuador international for a nominal fee in 2021, he has developed into one of the Premier League's most highly-rated lynchpins and is expected to depart Brighton this summer in search of Champions League football.
© Reuters
Caicedo was involved in a memorable January transfer saga, publicly stating on social media that he wanted to leave Brighton in between two failed bids from Arsenal, but the Seagulls refused to entertain bids midway through the season.
Instead, Caicedo penned a new deal until 2027 - purely to protect his value and ensure that Brighton can receive the highest transfer fee possible - but De Zerbi admitted at the end of the season that the 21-year-old may have played his final game in blue and white.
Arsenal were tipped to reignite their interest this summer but chose to prioritise a £105m deal for Declan Rice instead, leaving the door open for Chelsea to try to agree a fee with Brighton, who supposedly value Caicedo at £100m.
The report adds that both Chelsea and Liverpool are confident of prising Caicedo away from Brighton in their own right, but the Reds feel that they may have the edge given their harmonious relationship with the Seagulls.
Caicedo has scored two goals and provided three assists in 53 matches for Brighton, who shelled out just £4.3m to bring him to England two years ago.
Ben Knapton
