Chelsea are reportedly set to submit a £70 million bid for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo, but it is understood the Blues have two more targets in mind irrespective of whether they complete the signing of the Ecuadorian midfielder or not.
According to the Evening Standard, Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia and Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga are understood to be targets for the West London club.
After Chelsea’s exodus of over 11 players at a value of £230 million, the Blues have seemingly got room in their budget to accommodate a second midfielder.
After losing Mason Mount, Matteo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, this has meant that Mauricio Pochettino’s side may well need another midfielder even if Caicedo is brought in.
Caicedo hoping his dream Chelsea move materialises
After Chelsea saw their £60 million bid rejected for the midfielder, there is hope that due to Caicedo’s reported willingness to join the Blues, a deal can be struck according to the same report.
However, the report also states Brighton value the midfielder at around £100 million and have used the deal that saw Declan Rice move to Arsenal for £105 million as a benchmark for their valuation.
The Blues are weighing up late bids for the Spaniard Veiga and the Belgian Lavia later in the window, although there is reportedly interest in Lavia from Liverpool, according to The Athletic.
Whether it would be worth more value for Chelsea to pivot away from Caicedo and sign Veiga, who has a £34 million release clause according to The Guardian, and Lavia, who could be available for £50 million according to the same report from The Athletic, remains to be seen.
To be able to sign two young players with high potential, one, in Veiga, who adds goals from midfield and the other in Lavia, who adds defensive solidity, would be superb business for Chelsea.
Whether Pochettino’s side could pull it off remains to be seen.
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