Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of completing a British-record deal for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side have submitted a bid worth up to £110million, which has been accepted by Brighton, according to The Athletic.
Caicedo, 21, had seemed destined to join Chelsea this summer, after the Blues had four bids rebuffed by the Seagulls – including an £80m offer last month – but he is now slated to become a Liverpool player as early as Friday.
Brighton reportedly set a deadline of midnight on Thursday to sell to the highest bidder, with Jurgen Klopp’s side tabling a £110m offer, while Chelsea put forward a deal worth up to £100m.
Agreeing personal terms with the player is not expected to be an issue for the Reds, and a medical is scheduled for Friday.
Moises Caicedo now looks set to join Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool rather than Chelsea this summer, according to reports
Chief executive Paul Barber previously claimed the club expect him to be available for their Premier League opener at home to Luton Town on Saturday.
Caicedo was not involved in his side’s friendly on Sunday against Rayo Vallecano.
The player joining Liverpool would be a major blow for Chelsea given their lengthy pursuit of the midfielder this summer.
The Blues have had multiple bids knocked back by Brighton, but had still appeared primed to get a deal wrapped up before the transfer window closes at the start of September.
Caicedo labelled Chelsea ‘as a beautiful team’ earlier this summer while also claiming ‘he could not say no’ to the Blues.
Brighton reportedly set a deadline of midnight on Thursday to sell to the highest bidder
Liverpool have already added Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai earlier this window
‘It’s a big team, that’s true,’ Caicedo told La Cancha Con Majo.
‘A very historic team and I can’t say no because it is a very big, historic, beautiful team. The city as well is beautiful.’
At the start of this month he is said to have told guests at their end of season awards ceremony that he was keen to depart the Amex.
Last season, he featured in all but one of Brighton’s Premier League matches, scoring once and returning one assist, becoming a pivotal cog in the Brighton midfield, but at the same time, garnered himself the attention from several clubs around the league.
The setback for the Blues comes just one day before they face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in their first game of the new Premier League season.
The midfielder had announced his desire to leave Brighton this month after a stellar season
Both Chelsea and Liverpool have also made offers for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia as they look to further strengthen their midfields.
Liverpool have had three bids rejected by the Championship club, with their latest offer of around £46m falling short of Southampton’s £50m asking price.
Chelsea trumped that offer with a £48m bid this week, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side are yet to reach an agreement with Saints.
Liverpool have already added to their midfield this summer by signing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but Caicedo will help fill the hole left by Fabinho’s move to Saudi Arabia.
Chelsea have reportedly activated the £20m release clause of Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams.
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