Chelsea have completed the signing of Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo for a reported Premier League record fee of up to £115 million ($A225 million)
The Blues said the 21-year-old has agreed an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with a club option for a further year, after Chelsea beat off competition from Liverpool for his signature.
It is the second time Chelsea have broken the British transfer record in seven months after spending £107 million ($A209m) on Enzo Fernandez in January.
Liverpool had a £110 million offer accepted on Friday after Brighton had set a deadline for bids.
But Caicedo turned down the opportunity to join the Reds to pursue a move to the Blues.
“I am so happy to join Chelsea!” Caicedo said in a club statement. “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.
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“It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait to get started with the team.”
Chelsea will reportedly pay an initial £100 million with a further £15 million due in performance-related bonuses.
The deal represents another huge profit for Brighton, who signed Caicedo from Independiente del Valle for just £4 million in 2021.
However, he has only been a regular starter for the Seagulls over the past 18 months after spending the first half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Belgian side Beerschot.
Brighton finished sixth in the Premier League last season to qualify for European competition for the first time in the club’s history.
“Chelsea are getting one of the top midfielders in the world,” said Brighton’s technical director David Weir.
“Moises has been one of our exceptional players over the past 18 months.” – ‘Rare midfield skill set’
Chelsea have spent close to £900 million on players in just three transfer windows since a takeover fronted by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and private equity group Clearlake Capital.
However, they slumped to 12th in the Premier League last season — their lowest finish since 1994.
New manager Mauricio Pochettino’s reign got off to a promising start in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.
“Moises possesses a rare midfield skill set and is a player we’ve been targeting for some time,” said Chelsea’s co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said “We believe he will make a significant impact at Stamford Bridge this season – and in the years ahead.” Chelsea could be set to snatch another midfield target away from Liverpool with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia also reportedly favouring a move to Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements after captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho departed for Saudi Arabia.
Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have also left Anfield since the end of last season after their contracts expired.
Alexis Mac Allister, who also starred for Brighton last season alongside Caicedo, and Dominik Szoboszlai are Liverpool’s only two signings of the window so far.
Top 10 transfer fees in football
Here are the 10 biggest fees, including potential adds ons, in prices at the time:
1. 222 million euros: Neymar (BRA). Barcelona (ESP) to Paris Saint-Germain (FRA), 2017.
2. 180m euros: Kylian Mbappe (FRA) Monaco (FRA) to PSG (FRA) (loan 2017, transfer 2018).
3. 133m euros: Moises Caicedo (ECU). Brighton (ENG) to Chelsea (ENG), 2023.
4. 126m euros: Joao Felix (POR). Benfica (POR) to Atletico Madrid (ESP), 2019.
5. 122m euros: Declan Rice (ENG). West Ham (ENG) to Arsenal (ENG), 2023.
6. 121m euros: Enzo Fernandez (ARG). Benfica (POR) to Chelsea (ENG), 2023.
7= 120m euros: Philippe Coutinho (BRA). Liverpool (ENG) to Barcelona (ESP), 2018.
7= 120m euros: Antoine Griezmann (FRA). Atletico Madrid (ESP) to Barcelona (ESP), 2019.
9. 117m euros: Jack Grealish (ENG). Aston Villa (ENG) to Manchester City (ENG), 2021.
10. 115m euros: Eden Hazard (BEL). Chelsea (ENG) to Real Madrid (ESP), 2019.
CHELSEA LOAN OUT $A139M SHOT-STOPPER
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan to replace the injured Thibaut Courtois, the two clubs announced on Monday.
“Real Madrid and Chelsea FC have agreed on the loan of player Kepa Arrizabalaga until June 30, 2024,” the Spanish club said in a statement.
Belgian star Courtois, 31, will miss most of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Kepa, 28, had been close to a transfer to Bayern Munich, but will instead return to his native Spain.
Bayern board chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen had said on Sunday that the Bavarian club were thinking of presenting Kepa “today or tomorrow, but the offer from Real Madrid has arrived. Kepa is Spanish, that’s normal that he accepts it”.
The former Athletic Bilbao keeper came close to signing for Real in 2018 but instead joined Chelsea for £71 million ($A139m) and lifted the Europa League trophy in his first season.
The Spaniard was also involved in Chelsea’s Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup triumphs in 2021.
However, Kepa lost his Chelsea place to compatriot Robert Sanchez at the start of this term, with the summer signing from Brighton playing in Chelsea’s season-opening 1-1 draw against Liverpool on Sunday.
“The club wish him well for the season ahead in Madrid, where he will work with former Chelsea head coach Carlo Ancelotti,” the Blues said in a statement.
LONG-SERVING SOUTHAMPTON STAR MOVES TO WEST HAM
West Ham signed England midfielder James Ward-Prowse from Southampton on Monday in a deal worth a reported £30 million ($A58m).
Ward-Prowse agreed a four-year contract with the Hammers as he makes a quick return to the Premier League following Southampton’s relegation.
The 28-year-old made 410 appearances for Southampton and was captain as they crashed out of the Premier League last season.
He arrives at the London Stadium to fill the void left by fellow England midfielder Declan Rice’s £105 million move to Arsenal in July.
“From the outside looking in, this is a club that has been on the rise for a number of years now and coming off the success in the UEFA Europa Conference League last year,” Ward-Prowse said.
“You can feel there is real momentum around this club. It’s great to be a part of it and I can’t wait to play my role in the games to come.” Ward-Prowse spent two decades on the south-coast after joining Southampton’s academy at the age of eight.
During his time at St Mary’s, he earned 11 England caps and scored two goals for his country.
Ward-Prowse scored 17 Premier League free-kicks for Southampton and needs just one more to draw level with the competition record held by David Beckham.
He becomes West Ham’s second major signing since the end of last season, following their recent swoop for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez.
“When I think about my game, it is based on hard work, graft, and giving 100 per cent. West Ham has always been a club that epitomises that,” Ward-Prowse said.
“I feel as though I will fit straight in and I can promise I will give my all for this football club in my time here.” The Hammers opened their season with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday and Ward-Prowse could make his debut in Sunday’s London derby against Chelsea.
TOFFEES SIGN RELEGATED LEEDS STAR
Everton have signed Leeds winger Jack Harrison on a season-long loan. Harrison returns to the Premier League following Leeds’ relegation to the Championship last season.
The 26-year-old becomes Everton’s fourth signing since the end of last season after spending the last five years at Leeds.
“Jack Harrison passed his medical with the club yesterday before completing the necessary paperwork this morning,” Everton said in a statement.
“He will now continue his rehabilitation from a minor hip injury before being available for Sean Dyche’s squad.” Dyche had signed Arnaut Danjuma from Villarreal, Ashley Young from Aston Villa and Youssef Chermiti from Sporting Lisbon since his team narrowly avoided relegation last season.
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Everton opened the Premier League season with a disappointing 1-0 home defeat against Fulham on Saturday.
Harrison, who joined Leeds from Manchester City, is the ninth player to leave the Elland Road club following their relegation.
He scored 34 goals in 206 appearances in all competitions for Leeds after making his debut in 2018.
Harrison helped Leeds win promotion to the Premier League in 2020 and signed a new five-year deal in April before the club’s three-year stay in the top-flight ended in May.
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