Liverpool set to seal record £110million deal for Brighton star Moises Caicedo
Liverpool are close to completing a deal worth a record £110million for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, talkSPORT understands.
The Reds have gazumped Chelsea in the race to sign Caicedo and the Ecuadorian could undergo a medical as early as Friday.
Caicedo joined Brighton two-and-a-half years ago for just over £4m but is now set to leave for in excess of £100mGetty
The final fee will surpass the previous British record of £105m which Arsenal paid West Ham for Declan Rice’s signature earlier this summer.
It will also smash Liverpool‘s record transfer for a player with Virgil van Dijk’s £75m move from Southampton in January 2018 currently their record buy, although their move for Darwin Nunez could rise to £85m.
This saga which has rumbled on all summer looks set to finally end with a late twist as Caicedo is primed for a Merseyside switch.
He appeared set to join Chelsea, who made the first serious move for the 21-year-old this summer.
The Blues have made two bids for Caicedo, however, both fell short of Brighton’s £100m valuation for the player.
It’s allowed Liverpool to strike and at the first attempt they’ve gone beyond the Seagulls’ asking price and look set to get the deal done.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were always in need of a rebuild in midfield having allowed James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to leave upon the expiration of their contracts.
They started the transfer window positively by signing World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, who played alongside Caicedo at Brighton, as well as Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig.
Liverpool owner John W Henry is pushing the boat out to sign CaicedoGetty
But their midfield shortages reached near-emergency levels when club captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both left Anfield for lucrative moves to Saudi Arabia.
As for Chelsea, their attention may now turn to Southampton star Romeo Lavia, who appeared set to join Liverpool.
The Reds have been unwilling to meet Saints’ £50m asking price for the 19-year-old and Chelsea have seen an opportunity to swoop in.
However, Chelsea’s latest offer of £48m is expected to be rejected by the Championship club.