Chelsea: De Zerbi offers fresh update on Caicedo talks

The Brighton midfielder has edged closer to joining Chelsea in recent days.

Brighton must find a “great” replacement for Moises Caicedo before selling him to Chelsea, according to manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The Blues have doubled down on their efforts to complete a move for Caicedo in recent weeks. However, their initial £70m bid for the midfielder was swiftly rejected by the Seagulls.

Reports have emerged of a possible swap deal between Caicedo and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill.

Asked by BBC about this option, De Zerbi said on Sunday: “Listen, I don’t know how the situation will end. I can say my idea and opinion. Colwill is not our player and I can’t speak about him, but Moises is a Brighton player and I can say my opinion.

“It’s a clear situation at the moment. He stays with us until my owner changes his mind. I don’t know what can happen in the future, but if Moises leaves we have to find the right player because it’s difficult to replace a player as good as Moises.

“I have to repeat, if Caicedo leaves we have to substitute him with a great player because this year we play in the Europa League unlike Chelsea. We have to improve our squad and I am the Brighton coach.”