which began last winter and continued in the summer transfer window
has come to an end with the confirmation of his move to Chelsea.
Chelsea announced on the club’s official website on the 15th (Korean time)
“We are pleased to announce the signing of Moises Caicedo
a member of the Ecuador national football team.”
Chelsea reportedly paid 1 million pounds (about 1500.1951 billion won) to sign Caicedo
exceeding the 1 million pounds (about 700.1815 billion won) that Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez
the highest transfer fee in Premier League history last winter.
Chelsea broke their own record in just seven months, leaving their player in first and second place on the Premier League’s all-time transfer fee list.
In his first interview with the club, which was published on the club’s official website, Caicedo said: “I am very happy to join Chelsea. 먹튀검증사이트
I’m very excited to be at this club and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me.”
It’s a dream come true to come to Chelsea and I can’t wait to start with the team
he said after his move to Chelsea.
As for the players he idolizes at Chelsea
he said:
Claude Makelele and N’Golo Kante have inspired me.
They were so humble on the pitch
he said
adding:
I’d say we share similar qualities
but they were better.
But now I’m going to give everything for this club.
Caicedo’s move was one of the big concerns that hit the transfer market this summer.
Despite his young age
Caicedo has developed into one of Brighton’s leading players in the Premier League.
Caicedo has also contributed greatly to Brighton’s success in the Premier League in 2022/23.
Caicedo’s prowess in the central midfield position and solid defensive performances have attracted the attention of big clubs looking to reinforce their midfield.
However
it was Caicedo’s unique way of pursuing transfers that started to attract the most attention.
It all started with interest from Arsenal last winter.
Arsenal were in talks with Brighton to sign Caicedo during the winter transfer window for the 2022/23 season.
At the time
Arsenal were willing to pay the club’s highest-ever transfer fee to sign Caicedo
but Brighton were in sharp opposition to the club’s insistence that Caicedo not be let go in the middle of the season.
While the battle of nerves between the clubs continued
Caicedo surprised the fans by making a direct transfer statement.
Caicedo released a statement on his social media account at the time
asking Brighton to allow him to transfer.
In his transfer statement
Caicedo said:
I will always be grateful to Tony Bloom and Brighton for giving me the opportunity to come to the Premier League and I think I have done my best for them.
“I was born and raised in Santo Domingo
Ecuador
the youngest of 10 children in a poor family
he said
adding
My dream has always been to become the greatest player in Ecuadorian history.
I’m proud to have taken a record transfer fee to Brighton and be able to reinvest it in Brighton to help the club continue to succeed.
He also asked fans to support the transfer
saying
I hope they can understand why I want to seize this great opportunity,
because the fans who put me in their hearts will always be in my heart.
After confirming the statement
Brighton immediately ruled Caicedo out of training.
However
despite his enthusiastic transfer push and statements
Brighton decided to keep him
and Caicedo was expected to remain with the team for the time being
returning to training and even renewing his contract.
But interest in him hasn’t waned this summer.
This time
instead of Arsenal
Chelsea took the lead.
However
he had difficulties in negotiating the transfer fee.
Some British media outlets reported that “Chelsea are the frontrunners in signing Caicedo
but are struggling to negotiate with Brighton.
Brighton value him at £1 million (about £2000.1946 billion).
It is unlikely that Chelsea will pay that much to sign Caicedo
but they will have to pay at least 8000 million pounds (about 1296.<> billion won)
he said
adding that there was a disagreement between Brighton and Chelsea over the transfer fee.
Caicedo is said to have made some sabotage moves in his bid for a move to Chelsea
including friendlies, missing training
and packing up the locker room after the protracted negotiations between Chelsea and Brighton.
Brighton received an open bid for Caicedo to avoid a protracted deal as Caicedo’s sabotage progressed
and then reached an agreement with Brighton with Liverpool making a huge offer.
British outlet The Athletic reported that “Brighton opened their bid for Caicedo on Thursday
with Liverpool being the top bidder
ahead of Chelsea.
Chelsea’s offer was 1 million pounds (about 1682.<> billion won)
he said
adding that Chelsea failed to reach an agreement to sign Caicedo after being pushed by Liverpool.
In the end
Chelsea’s courtship of Caicedo seemed to end with an interception from Liverpool
but Caicedo turned the tables again.
According to a report by British outlet Sky Sports
Caicedo seems to have made it clear that he only wants a move to Chelsea in personal negotiations with Liverpool.
Chelsea are again trying to sign Caicedo in the coming hours
the outlet said
explaining that Chelsea could be able to sign Caicedo again.
Caicedo has made it clear that he will only move to the team he wants
despite Liverpool’s huge offer.
In the end
Caicedo ended his move in the summer transfer window by wearing the blue shirt he had so much hoped for
thanks to further offers from Chelsea.
British outlet Evening Standard reported after Caicedo’s move to Chelsea was confirmed
saying:
Caicedo has not considered completing his Chelsea transfer since Liverpool’s rejection.
He agreed to a long eight-year contract with Chelsea
with only his eyes set on Chelsea.
He’s happy to finally be joining his favourite club
he said
noting his unique behaviour in turning down huge offers without hesitation and wishing only for Chelsea.
The Premier League’s aspiring young midfielder’s assertive move has attracted a lot of attention in the transfer market this summer
and it will be interesting to see if Caicedo can satisfy Chelsea fans with his skills as much as his will.