Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly rejected an £80m offer from Chelsea for midfielder Moises Caicedo, meaning that the West Londoners have now seen four bids for the player turned down.
The 21-year-old has been the topic of intense transfer speculation since the start of the calendar year, with both the Blues and Arsenal having offers rebuffed for the Ecuadorian in January.
Caicedo signed fresh terms with the South-coast outfit in March despite publicly expressing his desire to leave Brighton earlier in the year, going on to help the Seagulls to achieve a record-breaking campaign in the Premier League.
A sixth-placed finish in the English top flight under Roberto De Zerbi represents the highest placement in the club's history - one which also booked Brighton a spot in the group stage of this season's Europa League.
Chelsea are not giving up on their efforts to lure Caicedo away from European football, according to The Athletic, with the Blues submitting a fourth offer worth £80m for the midfielder.
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It is understood that the bid was turned down 'instantly' by the Seagulls, who have already dismissed offers of £60m, £65m and £70m for their Ecuadorian enforcer.
The report claims that the structure of Chelsea's bid entailed £75m being paid up-front, with an additional £5m arriving in the form of add-ons, however it is believed that the financial package offered falls significantly short of Brighton's valuation.
Owner Tony Bloom is supposedly hoping to earn over £100m from the sale of Caicedo to Chelsea - a price tag inspired by Declan Rice's recent switch from West Ham United to Arsenal for £105m.
The midfielder is said to have his heart set on a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, although it is expected that Brighton will not be letting one of their key players leave for less than their ambitious asking price.
Caicedo featured off the bench for the Seagulls in their 2-0 win over Brentford in the Premier League Summer Series on Wednesday night, with Ivorian winger Simon Adingra bagging a brace in Atlanta to sting Thomas Frank's Bees.
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Chelsea are reportedly aware that their attempts to bring in their primary midfield target to Stamford Bridge could be unsuccessful, meaning that the West Londoners are also monitoring the situation of Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia.
The Belgium international starred for the Saints despite their relegation to the Championship last season, and it is understood that the 19-year-old is set for a move back to the Premier League.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Liverpool are preparing a second bid totalling £45m for the midfielder, however previous reports have suggested that Southampton value the player at £50m.
Brighton conclude their Premier League Summer Series campaign with a clash against Champions League-bound Newcastle United on Friday night in the United States, a game in which Caicedo could make his first start of pre-season.
Carter White
