Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella took a distinct method to Blues supervisor Mauricio Pochettino when discussing a possible transfer to Stamford Bridge for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo. The west Londoners are eager admirers of Caicedo, who has been extensively tipped to depart Brighton earlier than the brand new Premier League marketing campaign will get underway subsequent month.

Chelsea are reported to have seen two bids already turned down by the Seagulls, the most recent being £70million. Brighton are holding out for round £100m after seeing Declan Rice be part of Arsenal for a nine-figure switch price. Caicedo is keen to signal for Chelsea over the approaching days, in keeping with Fabrizio Romano, however solely time will inform if the Blues shall be ready to pay his full asking worth in change for his providers.

Cucurella, who frolicked with Caicedo at Brighton previous to becoming a member of Chelsea final summer time, believes that his former team-mate can be a shrewd acquisition following the departures of Mateo Kovacic and N'Golo Kante in latest weeks. The Spaniard additionally feels that Caicedo would bounce on the probability to play alongside him at Chelsea if a deal will be agreed within the not-too-distant future.

He stated: "I think he wants to come here, I've read in the media lots of times. I have a good relationship with him, he is a good midfielder and if he comes I think we have a top midfielder for a long time."

Cucurella was far much less coy than Pochettino when quizzed on the subject of bringing Caicedo to Stamford Bridge, with the Blues supervisor rapidly shutting down the road of questioning in his press convention on Tuesday.

"All the team are working hard to get who we want," stated the Argentine, earlier than including: "I don't want to talk about specific names. It's not respectful. Like us, many clubs are working to sign a player to improve their team."

It stays to be seen if Chelsea will find yourself touchdown Caicedo earlier than the top of the summer time window, with the Blues at present regarded as evaluating whether or not or to not submit a brand new provide for the 21-year-old's signature. They are unlikely to be bullied into paying over the chances, although, regardless of their repute as one of many Premier League's biggest-spending golf equipment.

Chelsea will stay 'disciplined' of their pursuit of Caicedo, in keeping with Sky Sports, which means that a substantial amount of negotiating could possibly be set to happen in a bid to scale back the participant's asking worth. They are additionally stated to have loads of different irons within the hearth, with the two-time European champions seemingly ready to stroll away from the deal if Brighton stand agency and refuse to budge.

Follow our Express Sport web page on Instagram here.