Chelsea beat Liverpool to sign Moises Caicedo for reported record £115M fee

Chelsea’s frenzied and extravagant dash through the transfer market shows no signs of slowing.

The Blues beat Liverpool in signing Moises Caicedo on Monday for a reported £115-million fee. The sum makes the Ecuadorian midfielder the most expensive incoming transfer in British football history.

Caicedo, who made 45 Premier League appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion before his blockbuster move, signed an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge. There’s a club option to add an additional year to the deal.

Brighton have made a huge profit on Caicedo after paying Independiente del Valle around £4 million for his services in February 2021, according to Agence France-Presse.

Biggest signings made by British clubs

“I am so excited to be here at this big club, and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me – I just knew I wanted to sign for the club. It’s a dream come true to be here, and I can’t wait to get started with the team,” Caicedo said.

The transfer empathizes the club’s dedication to its aggressive approach to business under chairman Todd Boehly despite last season’s huge outlay yielding a 12th-placed Premier League finish and disappointing exits from domestic and continental cup competitions.

With Caicedo’s arrival, Chelsea’s spending has reached around £875 million (including add-ons) over the past 15 months. That number is expected to rise before the transfer window shuts on Sept. 1. The club is also reportedly on the verge of signing Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, and it’s linked with moves for Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise and Santos teenager Deivid Washington.

Although the fee for Caicedo is massive, his arrival appears to address a glaring need for a No. 6 in Mauricio Pochettino’s side – one that was exposed during Sunday’s 1-1 home draw with Liverpool. The 21-year-old’s presence should further liberate Enzo Fernandez in Chelsea’s midfield, while players like Conor Gallagher will be given fewer defensive duties in the middle of the park.

Caicedo’s 2022-23 Premier League stats

Caicedo represents another link with Brighton during the Boehly era. Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez joined from the Seagulls over the past three transfer windows, and the Blues tempted Graham Potter and some of his coaching staff to their dugout from Brighton last term before sacking him in April. Brighton also signed Billy Gilmour on a permanent basis and Levi Colwill on a season-long loan from Chelsea during the previous summer transfer window.

Sanchez and Colwill started Chelsea’s season opener against Liverpool, along with fellow debutants Axel Disasi and Nicolas Jackson. Malo Gusto and Lesley Ugochukwu also made their first appearances for the club off the bench.