- Chelsea signed midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton in the summer
- Liverpool were the first to agree on a deal for Caicedo with Brighton but the midfielder chose to join Chelsea
- Caicedo’s agent has explained the midfielder’s determination to join Chelsea over Liverpool.
The agent to midfielder Moises Caicedo has shed light on why the midfielder opted for a move to Chelsea over Liverpool this summer, despite the Reds initially agreeing terms with Brighton & Hove Albion for his transfer.
Caicedo, the Ecuadorian sensation, made a significant impact in the Premier League shortly after his debut in April 2022. He quickly became a crucial player in Brighton’s midfield, attracting attention from top clubs.
In January 2023, both Arsenal and Chelsea attempted to secure his signature. However, Brighton rejected all offers, determined to retain him until the end of the season. Despite Caicedo’s desire to leave, he remained at the Amex Stadium.
In March 2023, Caicedo signed a new contract with Brighton, but he remained the subject of intense transfer interest in the summer. Chelsea renewed their efforts to acquire him, and Liverpool also entered the race.
Chelsea’s multiple eight-figure bids were rebuffed. This was because Brighton held out for a fee comparable to the £105 million Arsenal paid for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.
Liverpool then presented a British-record £111 million bid, which Brighton accepted. However, Caicedo resisted Liverpool’s advances and ultimately completed a £115 million move to Chelsea.
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Moises Caicedo’s agent, Manuel Sierra, shared the details of these two transfer sagas and the reasons behind his client’s strong desire to join Chelsea.
Moises Caicedo joined Chelsea on a permanent transfer from Brighton despite his former club having an agreement with Liverpool. | PHOTO: Chelsea FC |
He explained, “What happened is that in January, Chelsea couldn’t pay. They couldn’t go overboard because they had to choose between Caicedo and another player, Enzo Fernandez. I didn’t know what Brighton’s demands would be. Brighton was determined not to sell, even for £1 billion.”
Sierra further discussed Liverpool’s involvement, saying, “The decision of not going to Liverpool instead of Chelsea was also a subject of debate. The offers from both clubs were similar in every way. The decision came down to values, principles, and keeping one’s word.”
He continued, “When Liverpool’s offer arrived, Brighton requested time to give Chelsea the chance to match it. Chelsea did match it and even exceeded it, and Caicedo ultimately chose Chelsea because he had given his word to them.”
Sierra revealed that Liverpool had shown interest from an early stage but had gone silent for some time. He said, “We had discussions between January and May, but after May, we didn’t hear from them. It was surprising when they suddenly returned with an offer that they had initially claimed they couldn’t make.”
Sierra emphasized that their decision was influenced by Chelsea’s commitment to matching Liverpool’s terms. “Our conversations with both clubs were clear from the start. As long as Chelsea offered conditions similar to Liverpool’s, there was no issue. Chelsea not only matched but exceeded the offer, so there was no complaint.”
He acknowledged the allure of both Chelsea and Liverpool but highlighted the role Chelsea played in securing Caicedo’s signature. “Imagine Jurgen Klopp personally reaching out, Liverpool calling, and considering one of the world’s top teams – it’s a huge opportunity,” Sierra said. “When Liverpool approached us in such a manner, Moises was understandably dazzled. Chelsea, however, remained with us throughout the process, urging us to go ahead.”
Sierra concluded by sharing a pivotal moment in the negotiations, saying, “Chelsea gave Brighton an hour to match the offer after two days of negotiations, and they honored their commitment. It was a very complex situation, but Chelsea stood by us.”
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