Chelsea emerge as frontrunners in Moises Caicedo race

Chelsea are leading the race to sign Moises Caicedo, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Caicedo has reportedly decided to join Chelsea and is set to become the second high-profile exit from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer following Alexis Mac Allister’s move to Liverpool.

Chelsea and Brighton will now continue negotiations for the midfielder, who is wanted by several top sides around Europe.

Having failed in their January pursuit of Caicedo, Arsenal remain admirers but Mikel Arteta’s men have cooled their interest as they focus on acquiring the services of Declan Rice.

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have also been linked with a move for the 21-year-old, who has decided to remain in the top tier of Engish football.

This leaves Chelsea and Manchester United in the best position to land Caicedo and the Blues look set to win that race as things stand.

Chelsea were close to snapping up Manuel Ugarte from Sporting Lisbon earlier this month before a late twist saw the Uruguayan head to Paris Saint-Germain instead.

The west Londoners have remained keen on midfield reinforcements having lost N’Golo Kante, while Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek also face uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge.

Off the back of yet another excellent season, Caicedo would be a superb addition to a Chelsea side looking to bounce back after finishing 12th in the recently-concluded campaign.

As Chelsea and Brighton continue talks over a transfer fee for Caicedo, the two clubs are expected to also discuss Levi Colwill and Conor Gallagher with both men of interest to Roberto De Zerbi’s men.

While Chelsea are willing to offload Gallagher, they have rejected multiple approaches for Levi Colwill but Brighton could attempt to include the young defender, who spent last season on loan at the AMEX Stadium, in any potential deal for Caicedo.