Arsenal and Chelsea are set to go toe-to-toe over the signing of Brighton star Moises Caicedo this summer. The two London clubs had bids for the 21-year-old rejected by the Seagulls during the January transfer window - but are set to reignite their interest in Caicedo ahead of next season.
Roberto De Zerbi has been honest about Caicedo's future in recent weeks and admitted the Ecuador international deserves to play at a higher level. "They can have the possibility to change [clubs] because they deserve to play in another level," he said.
Having won the World Cup in December, Caicedo's team-mate Alexis Mac Allister is now on the verge of signing for Liverpool due to a £35million release clause in his contract. Caicedo, on the other hand, is valued at over £80million and would require a huge bid to lure him away since he does not have a specific release clause in his deal.
The 21-year-old signed a new long-term contract following the January transfer window - protecting his market value and putting Brighton in a strong bargaining position heading into the summer. Chelsea are expected to push for a move to sign Caicedo from Brighton in the upcoming summer transfer window, football.london understands.
However, the Blues lack of European football next season may see the Gunners hold an advantage over their London rivals when it comes to agreeing personal terms with Caicedo. Before either club can negotiate with the player, they must agree a transfer fee with Brighton - who are holding out for a figure in the region of £100million.
CBS reporter Ben Jacobs said: “Chelsea have other midfield targets, including Moises Caciedo with Brighton braced for offers. Even though he signed a new contract recently, it doesn’t preclude a summer move.
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“My understanding is his new contract has a clause to help facilitate a transfer, although there is no actual ‘release’ number. With Alexis Mac Allister it’s a bit different, and that’s why Liverpool are on the brink of pulling off a bargain signing."
When asked whether Brighton look to include release clauses in player's contracts, club chief Paul Barber said: "No, we don't operate like that. We try and avoid things like that because they become such a point of discussion and negotiation that you spend hours and hours on something that may not happen or if it does happen it may not be the right price at the right time.
"So we try and avoid things like that. We know other clubs use them, that's fine, but it's not something we tend to get involved with."
Mac Allister signed a new contract at Brighton back in October which included a £35million release clause - allowing him to leave the club if an interested party were willing to match that price. Liverpool have exploited that clause and look set to make the Argentina World Cup winner their first signing of the summer.
Caicedo's new deal may include clauses that help facilitate a transfer away from the Amex Stadium - but as Jacobs eluded to, there is no specific release clause fee which makes negotiations much more difficult for Chelsea and Arsenal. Therefore, Brighton are able to demand a higher fee before allowing their talented midfielder leave the club.
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