There was a time in which the strike partnership of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez was one of the best around, as Inter Milan secured the Scudetto under Antonio Conte.
In classic Lukaku style, however, he decided to swap Inter for Chelsea in the summer of 2021, in a move that he has regretted ever since.
Speaking midway through his season back at Stamford Bridge, Lukaku revealed his regret, controversially telling Sky Italia: "The way I left Inter, how I communicated with the fans, it bothers me because it might not be the right time now but it wasn't the right time when I left, either. Now, I think it's right to talk because I have always said I have Inter in my heart. I'll go back to play there, I really hope so."
The Belgian did, at least, manage to reunite with Martinez last season, completing a loan move back to his form club, which many would have assumed could have turned permanent, if he so wished.
That hasn't been the case, however, with Lukaku even attempting to move to Serie A rivals Juventus this summer – which was protested by fans.
Any bridges built at Inter have been burnt to a crisp, including it seems his relationship with Martinez too.
Lautaro Martinez speaks out on Romelu Lukaku situation
Speaking about Lukaku's situation, Martinez told Gazetta, via Fabrizio Romano: “Lukaku saga? I was disappointed by Romelu, it's the truth. I tried to call him in those days of chaos, but he never answered me, the same he did with my other teammates.
“I was disappointed. But ok, well, it’s his choice."
This comes after the Belgian revealed that he missed Martinez back in 2021, saying, via Romano: "I miss Lautaro Martinez, I could die on the pitch for him since day one I met him.
"Lautaro Martinez coming here with me at Chelsea in the future? No… Lautaro, you can stay in Milan, I'll be back there."
The Argentine's future is far simpler than his former strike partner's, meanwhile, revealing his desire to stay put in Milan to Gazetta, reported by Romano: “I received huge bids from Saudi clubs, it’s true. But I’m very happy at Inter and in Milano, no chance and no reason to change.
“I’m the captain here, Inter is my second home. I feel loved here since day one. I’m proud to be here."
What are the latest Romelu Lukaku transfer rumours?
Romelu Lukaku
As of right now, Lukaku remains a Chelsea player, but with plenty of time left in the transfer window, that could soon change.
According to Romano, the forward is attracting plenty of interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, but his priority is to remain in Europe, with Juventus a potential option.
Given Chelsea's summer activity, welcoming both Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, it seems unlikely that Lukaku will have a place under new boss Mauricio Pochettino next season.
As the summer drags on, and he remains without a move, the former Inter Milan man could find himself in an unwanted position come the beginning of the forthcoming campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool are now keen on signing Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams, but a new report has now revealed they are trailing another Premier League club in the race for his signature…
Is Tyler Adams leaving Leeds?
Adams has attracted the attention of a number of Premier League clubs following Leeds' relegation to the Championship last season, with Chelsea coming close to signing him earlier in the window, before talks broke down at a late stage.
The USMNT international, who has a £20m release clause included in his contract, was set to have a medical ahead of completing a move to Stamford Bridge, but he ultimately returned to Leeds, where he has four years remaining on his deal.
Even though the 24-year-old is tied down to a long-term contract, the Whites are powerless to stop him leaving if the £20m release clause is stumped up, and AFC Bournemouth are now willing to match it.
Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE
That is according to a report from 90min, which states the Cherries have agreed to meet the Leeds star's release clause, and talks are now taking place in the hope of striking an agreement with the player's camp.
However, Bournemouth may face competition for the central midfielder's signature, as Liverpool are also among the sides keen on signing him, having recently lost out on both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp is in dire need of new midfield options, owing to the fact that Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all departed, and they now have their sights set on the American.
That said, the Reds' interest only appears to be tentative at this stage, as they are yet to launch an official offer, and with Bournemouth recently agreeing to match the release clause, Klopp may have to move swiftly if he is to win the transfer race, although Adams is currently out injured with a hamstring issue.
What is Tyler Adams' salary?
The former RB Leipzig man is currently tied down to a £55k-per-week contract with Leeds, having joined the now-Championship side after impressing in the Bundesliga, and he was lauded as a "beast" by members of the media soon after his arrival.
Although the USMNT captain was unable to prevent the Whites from being relegated to the Championship, he still caught the eye with some very solid performances during his first year in England, particularly from a defensive point of view.
Over the past year, the defensive midfielder ranks in the 98th percentile for tackles, and the 97th percentile for blocks per 90, when compared to his positional peers, as per FBref, indicating he could be a fantastic alternative option to Lavia and Caicedo.
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Last season, the no-nonsense midfield enforcer made 89 tackles in the Premier League, the joint-fourth highest figure in the division, far more than Lavia and only 11 fewer than Caicedo.
At just £20m, Adams could be a bargain signing this summer, so it could be wise for Liverpool to match his release clause in the next few days, as a move to Anfield would surely be his preferred destination ahead of Bournemouth.
Everton have "formally expressed" their interest in signing Almeria forward El Bilal Toure this summer having expressed their intentions to pay the release clause of €40m (£34m), according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
What's the latest Everton transfer news?
Having missed out on multiple attacking targets in the January transfer window, including the likes of Kamaldeen Sulemana and Jean Philippe-Mateta, Everton are eager to bring in a new striker this summer, and they have identified several targets.
Back in June, it was reported the Toffees were plotting a move for Udinese striker Beto, with the Serie A outfit expecting the 25-year-old to leave this summer, however there could be competition for his signature.
Several of Europe's top clubs, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Napoli and Tottenham Hotspur, have now been offered the opportunity to sign the Portuguese forward, with the same report detailing that he will be available for €30m (£26m) this summer.
Another player who has been linked with a switch to Goodison Park is Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto, however journalist Paul Brown has claimed a move for the Italy international is "slightly unrealistic", so Sean Dyche may have to focus on other targets.
Tavolieri recently took to Twitter to claim that Everton have put €40m (£34m) on the table to sign El Bilal Toure, offering the Almeria forward a five-year contract, and the same journalist has now provided another update on the situation.
Everton have indeed "formally expressed" their intentions to go ahead and pay Almeria the €40m (£34m) release clause included in the 21-year-old's contract, but spread out over a period of installments rather than up front and in full.
The Toffees hierarchy are keen to pay off the deal in three of four installments, which could potentially put a spanner in the works, with a number of other clubs interested, including Fulham, who view the youngster as a priority target if Aleksandar Mitrovic leaves.
At the moment, the situation is "a bit messy", with a number of agents said to be "speaking about the striker", potentially indicating the Blues will miss out if they don't simply stump up the cash.
Who is El Bilal Toure?
Although he was born in the Ivory Coast, the Almeria starlet is a Mali international, having already made 13 caps for his national side, registering four goals in the process.
The former Reims man predominantly plays at striker, finding the back of the net seven times in 21 appearances in La Liga last term, in what was a very impressive debut season.
Almeria forward El Bilal Toure.
The Toffees have been linked with a move for the £5k-per-week attacker for quite some time, with transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey hailing him as a "major talent" amid reports about a switch to Goodison Park last summer.
Even though the Malian impressed last season, however, it is still up for debate whether his performances justify a £34m outlay, as there are several areas in which he needs to develop.
Over the past year, Toure ranks in just the 15th percentile for successful take-ons, and in the 27th for passes attempted, when compared to his positional peers, indicating he is far from the finished article.
Southampton are now just three weeks away from beginning their first season in the Championship since 2011-12, yet there are still question marks over a number of first-team players, including both Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento.
What players are Southampton selling?
With a host of Premier League clubs, it is tough to see how either Lavia or Livramento will still be at St Mary's come the end of the transfer window on September 1.
Perhaps a more pressing matter is that of the future of captain James Ward-Prowse, who continues to be linked with Premier League pair Fulham and West Ham United.
While players of Lavia and Livramento's quality come and go – a stark reality for a team outside of the elite – replacing Ward-Prowse could be even tougher.
That is down not only to the unique set-piece ability he brings to the side, but also his leadership qualities. After spending more than a decade as a regular, the past three of those years as captain, Ward-Prowse would leave a huge void to be filled.
However, it was recently suggested by talkSPORT that former Saints defender Jose Fonte could return to the club this summer, and that now looks an even stronger possibility after Lille president Olivier Letang confirmed the Portuguese is set to leave the Ligue 1 side.
Is Jose Fonte a good option for Southampton?
Fonte made close to 300 appearances for Southampton across a seven-year spell at St Mary's that came to an end in January 2017 when moving to West Ham.
The 50-cap Portugal international spent two-and-a-half years as captain of the Saints, meaning he is a natural ready-made replacement for Ward-Prowse in that regard should he return.
Indeed, he continued to prove a real figurehead when moving to West Ham, with goalkeeper Darren Randolph hailing him as a "leader". "He is loud and vocal and organises well," Randolph added.
Southampton have plenty of quality in their ranks for new manager Russell Martin to call upon, but they do not possess many capable of stepping up and leading in the way of Fonte, who Capology claims is on wages of £28,000 a week at Lille.
Being able to bark out instructions is one thing; having the quality to perform in the Championship at the age of 39 is another. However, Fonte started 30 games for Lille in Ligue 1 last season, suggesting he is more than capable of playing regularly despite his advancing years.
In fact, Fonte ranked in the top 12% of all centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues for passes attempted last season (68.72 per 90), as per FBref, and in the top 11% in terms of pass completion (90%).
That ability to pass the ball out from the back is a huge plus given that is exactly what Martin was after during his time as Swansea City head coach.
In terms of the more defensive metrics, Fonte won two aerial duels per game in Ligue 1 last season, as per WhoScored, which compares to 2.1 for Saints centre-back regular Jan Bednarek in the Premier League.
Fonte's team-high 3.5 clearances per game, meanwhile, was bettered by only three Southampton players who started 10 league matches or more.
While he may not be the colossus he was six years ago, Fonte showed last season he is still capable of doing a job at a high level. That, combined with his leadership qualities, make his arrival on a free transfer a no-brainer.
When West Ham United appointed David Moyes for a second spell in December 2019, it was met with mixed response from supporters, with some waxing over the suitability of a manager who knows the club and can orchestrate an exit from relegation danger, and others scratching their heads.
Many thought his arrival was somewhat regressive, a wariness in ambition and a failure to act with conviction and propel the club into the upper end of the Premier League.
He had previously led the Hammers for a short stint and departed upon the expiry of his contract after just six months in charge, but his return catalysed a club seeking a return to prominence, and he has now orchestrated illustrious success unseen in east London for many decades.
Indeed, after successfully preserving the Hammers' top-flight status with improved form in the latter phase of the 2019/20 campaign, Moyes has since led his team to successive European campaigns, making shrewd signings and developing a rock-solid collective understanding of the system and individual roles on the pitch.
Despite struggling in the Premier League last season, West Ham triumphed in the Europa Conference League and brought home the first slice of major silverware since 1980, when the club won the FA Cup.
And now, a successful summer transfer window has rekindled the verve in its entirety, with three wins from the opening five matches of the league season setting the club in good stead for a shot at landing a European spot once again.
That's despite the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal in July, with the Irons' club-record sale, as formidable as he is, proving to have been a stunning piece of business after rising through the youth ranks.
When did West Ham sign Declan Rice?
At age 14, Rice was released from Chelsea's prestigious Cobham academy, and after a brief trial period with Fulham, it was West Ham who decided to nurture the precocious youngster's talents in 2013, guiding him through his formative years with a belief that he could one day break into the senior set-up.
And that he did. Rice signed his first professional contract at 16 years old and proclaimed himself a "leader", oozing age-belying confidence in his future at the highest level.
Big words? Maybe. But Rice was bang on the money and always knew that his blend of application and natural talent would serve him well as he ascended the ranks, and after making his competitive debut in May 2018 in an away win in the English top-flight over Burnley, handed by Moyes during the Scotsman's first stint at the outfit, interestingly, he swiftly asserted himself as one of English football's most promising talents.
Football Transfers has documented the player's meteoric rise over the years, with Rice quickly moving from an unknown commodity to a £13m-rated prodigy in 2020, having started all 38 fixtures across the 2019/20 league campaign and even captained the side on multiple occasions, still just a teenager.
How much is Declan Rice worth now?
Hailed a "force of nature" by journalist Rob Blanchette, the understanding of the calibre of midfielder that Moyes had on his hands was crystalising, and as his imperious performances showed no sign of waning, he started to attract attention from some of the juggernauts.
They all wanted a piece. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all held a vested interest in 2021, and while West Ham held on to their man for as long as possible, it was actually Arsenal who convinced the player to make the cross-London move in July 2023, completing a British record £105m transfer, albeit this was trumped less than one month on as Chelsea signed Moises Caicedo for £115m.
This remarkable, lucrative departure for a player who had made 245 appearances and played a central role in an impressive rise to prominence must go down as a tremendous piece of business.
Having been rated at just £13m only three years before, Rice's value flew up by 708% over that period, and while it stings to see him ply his trade elsewhere, the summer acquisitions look to have been made with a clear vision, and West Ham have retained their overall quality as a club capable of competing for Europe domestically and for titles while on the continental stage itself.
Why is Declan Rice worth that much?
Interestingly praised as a “very good finisher” by former West Ham teammate Thomas Soucek, Rice boasts a multi-functional midfield skill set and one that prompted Arsenal to part with such a staggering sum of money for his services.
Indeed, Rice has only played five times in the Premier League for the Gunners but has already bagged his maiden goal at the most crucial of moments, bundling in from close range to give the Emirates Stadium side the lead in the dying embers of a thrilling 3-1 win against Manchester United.
To summarise his all-round skillset, as per FBref, the 45-cap England international ranks among the top 21% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 16% for pass completion, the top 17% for progressive passes, the top 14% for progressive carries and the top 6% for interceptions per 90.
The £240k-per-week phenom had also been previously heralded while on West Ham's books for his “monster” – as dubbed by ESPN’s David Cartlidge – presence in the centre, and without his rise to the fore under Moyes' wing, it's more than a little unlikely that the outfit's exploits over recent years would have been quite so emphatic.
It's not long into life without Rice at West Ham, but the early signs hint at great promise for Moyes' outfit; while the Englishman was the fulcrum in the middle, immensely talented and all-encompassing, the moves made on the summer transfer market tantalises further riches for West Ham.
The club return to Europa League competition this week, and despite defeat against Pep Guardiola's City last time out, three wins and a draw from the opening five Premier League matches is as good a start as Irons fans could have hoped for.
Rice will eternally remain a beloved figure in east London, with his qualities integral to the illustrious success of recent years, and while his departure this summer was a poignant moment, the club hit the jackpot in cashing in for a staggering sum and effectively replacing him with a talented clutch of exciting new additions.
Harry Maguire could stay at Manchester United now following a discussion with current boss Erik ten Hag, according to Alex Crook.
The England international originally looked set to depart Old Trafford this summer, however a U-turn could be on the cards.
What is the latest news about Harry Maguire?
The Maguire saga has seemingly taken another turn.
The expectation was that the former Leicester City man would leave this summer, especially after it was announced that he had been stripped of the Red Devils captaincy, with David Moyes and West Ham United being the most interested side in the defender. However, it seems that a potential switch to the London Stadium is off the cards after the Hammers opening offer of £20m was rejected, with reports stating that a second offer is unlikely due to a combination of Maguire's wage demands, the clubs reported £50m asking price as well as his seeming unwillingness to make the move to West Ham.
West Ham boss David Moyes.
Now it seems that the stance on Maguire has changed, with the defender now being seen as an important member of the United squad ahead of next campaign despite being limited to just 759 minutes of Premier League action last term and effectively becoming the sides fifth choice central defender behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and even natural left-back Luke Shaw.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Crook stated that Maguire has been informed by ten Hag during discussions that he can stay at United for the upcoming season. Crook also believes that the Red Devil's focus will switch onto Sofyan Amrabat, as the England international remaining at the club means the club do not need to buy another centre-back this summer.
He said: "From what I'm told, ten Hag is content for Maguire to stay. In fact, he has told him that. He thinks Maguire has still got a job to do. I think if they sign anybody else, it'll be Amrabat now."
Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…
Should Maguire stay at Manchester United?
There are arguments for both sides regarding this question.
Should Maguire leave the club this summer, he could potentially have the chance to reinvigorate a career that has slowly begun to stall at Old Trafford by playing regular first team football at another Premier League side, whilst also being able to do it away from the pressure cooker that is Man United. This season could also be the perfect time to make the switch as with Euro 2024 next summer, a strong individual campaign across both the Premier League and the Europa League should he make the switch to West Ham could potentially secure himself a starting spot in Gareth Southgate's team for the tournament. Another reason to make the switch is the point in his career that the defender is at, because at 30 years of age, the Englishman should be in his prime years, and one could believe that he would not want to spend the prime years of his career as a fifth choice option.
harry-maguire
Should Maguire stay at United, he gets the chance to be a part of a squad competing for top honours both domestically and continentally for one of the most historic sides in the world. Maguire may also keep his spot for the upcoming Euros should he stay at the Red Devils, with the player being called up to the World Cup last season despite his dramatically reduced game time. There is also the possibility that the defender could earn his spot back should he be given the opportunity due to injuries and suspensions to the clubs current options. But, nothing is guaranteed, as Ten Hag isn't afraid to make big calls.
Liverpool are considering a late swoop for West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen, but only should one outcome occur before September 1st, according to reports.
Where is Jarrod Bowen from?
Bowen was originally born in Leominster, Herefordshire, but completed his big move to the Premier League and indeed the London Stadium from Hull City back in 2020 where he’s since gone on to become an integral member and regular feature of David Moyes’ first team, clocking up 161 appearances to date.
The England international still has another two years remaining on his contract, but having emerged as the Irons’ joint-top goalscorer last season alongside Said Benrahma, he’s caught the eye of FSG and Jurgen Klopp, but not for the first time.
Last summer, TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook revealed that the Reds boss is an “admirer” of the right-winger, whilst transfer insider Dean Jones confirmed that the Merseyside outfit were “keeping an eye” on the 26-year-old’s situation, and despite a deal having failed to come to fruition at the time, they are now considering taking a second bite of the cherry.
West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen.
Are Liverpool signing Jarrod Bowen?
According to Football Transfers, Liverpool have "listed" Bowen as a potential transfer target should Mohamed Salah leave before Friday's deadline.
Klopp reportedly views the attacker as an "ideal replacement" for his veteran, who is being targeted by Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, and it's stated that they are prepared to table a €150m (£128m) package to prise him away.
Anfield chiefs are "adamant" that they don't want to sell their prized asset and have made their stance clear, but it doesn't sound like that's going to stop his potential suitor from trying their luck.
€42m (£36m)
€70m (£60m)
€20m (£17m)
How many goals has Jarrod Bowen scored for West Ham?
Since joining the Hammers, Bowen has racked up 74 contributions (42 goals and 32 assists) in 161 appearances, form which has seen him hailed “outstanding” by journalist Josh Bunting, and whilst nobody could ever really replace Salah, Moyes’ star will be one of the closest to him.
Sponsored by Adidas, the attacker also last season recorded a total of 159 crosses and 73 shots over the course of the campaign, with both statistics being the highest throughout his squad, via FBRef, highlighting his desire to create chances and hit the back of the net.
Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE…
The Europa Conference League winner, who pockets £60k-per-week, is also a versatile operator with his ability to play in seven different positions over the grass, including everywhere across the frontline and even three roles in the midfield, which is yet another attribute that the boss will no doubt have been attracted to.
Furthermore, Bowen shares the same agent, PLG, as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Nathaniel Phillips, so this existing connection that his representative has to the club could give chiefs a small advantage should they decide to pursue a deal in the final days of the window, and it may be one to keep an eye on.
Liverpool have been linked with a move for West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, and journalist Paul Brown has given his insight to whether it will happen or not.
Will Liverpool sign Jarrod Bowen?
The Reds have made a flying start to their season in both the Premier League and the Europa League, only dropping two points in their first six matches in all competitions. New signings have come in and hit the ground running, most notably Dominik Szoboszlai, who has excelled, and things appear to be heading in the right direction under Jurgen Klopp, following a well-documented poor campaign last time around.
In order for Liverpool to keep progressing, however, they must continue to eye up new signings, especially in Mohamed Salah's position, with the 31-year-old not yet definitely staying put next summer, should more interest from Saudi Arabia emerges.
One player who has been seen as a candidate to come in and be the Egyptian King's successor is Bowen, who is enjoying an excellent start to the season, scoring three goals in five league matches.
What's the latest on Jarrod Bowen to Liverpool?
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Brown claimed that while Bowen has "similarities" to Mohamed Salah, it doesn't look likely that he will come in as a potential successor:
"I can see similarities between them in what they do on the pitch. That being said, I don't think Liverpool have pressed particularly hard to try and get Bowen. There doesn't seem to be a groundswell or a movement from the club to try and go for him. I know he's on their list of people that they like. But he seems perfectly happy at West Ham right now and I would expect West Ham to have a good season. So I don't think it's a given that Bowen leaves anytime soon."
Bowen is an increasingly impressive footballer who will be a big threat when West Ham head to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, giving Reds supporters a chance to see exactly what he could offer them, should a move to Anfield happen eventually. That being said, this update does suggest that it is unlikely to happen any time soon, with the 26-year-old seemingly settled with the Hammers, and Liverpool not necessarily showing strong interest in him.
Bowen is someone who could be a really strong squad player for Klopp's men, having been hailed as "unbelievable" by the German in the past, but he is not at the level required to come in as Salah's replacement, should he leave eventually and not extend his stay at the club.
Liverpool need to be looking at signing a genuine superstar in his place when the sad day does arrive that he needs replacing – Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has been linked with a move and is the calibre of player they would need – but the West Ham man can't offer his relentless level of end product, whether it be goals or assists, or searing pace out wide.
The fact that Bowen's price tag would likely be bloated because he is English is another reason not to move for him, so the Reds should look elsewhere for new attacking options.
Everton are the latest team to throw their hat into the ring for Romain Faivre, according to a report from Foot Mercato, via Sport Witness.
How has Romain Faivre played this season?
The midfielder – who primarily plays on the wing but can also feature as a traditional number ten – has spent the 2022/23 season on loan with Lorient and has really caught the eye with his displays. He managed 16 top flight games for the club but produced a superb total of eight goal contributions along the way, with five goals in total and three assists.
hen you consider he only managed 13.8 lots of 90 minutes for the club, it's a superb goal contribution rate for the winger.
He's never managed the same totals for parent club Lyon, although he has also not been able to get onto the field as much with them. Before moving to Lorient, he was given only three starts by Les Gones and managed just the one assist across 2021/22. In fact, he has only managed 12 league starts during the entirety of his time with Lyon.
FC Lorient midfielder Romain Faivre.
Now, he could be given the chance to leave France and try his luck in the Premier League. That's because according to a report from Foot Mercato, via Sport Witness, the 24-year-old is drawing interest from several English clubs.
One of the latest to express their eagerness to sign him is Everton, who will have to battle Fulham and Crystal Palace if they want any hope of bringing the player to Goodison Park this campaign.
How much would Faivre cost Everton?
They may already find that to be a struggle, with Lyon also slapping a 15 million Euro price tag on his head (£13m). Whilst that is not an extortionate fee for the midfielder, it is one that the Toffees may currently struggle to pay – and the report adds that whilst they may be able to compete financially more than other interested parties from abroad, they will struggle against other Premier League sides.
He's clearly a player that possesses some real ability too. Those who have watched him have been full of praise for Faivre, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig previously calling the player "pure quality" after a performance back in 2022.
It shows that the 24-year-old has been impressive in France – and if Everton were able to poach him, he would certainly upgrade their midfield and wide options.
Chelsea's pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo is "still on" despite their second bid being rejected by the Seagulls, claims transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.
Is Moises Caicedo joining Chelsea this summer?
It's been a hectic transfer window for Mauricio Pochettino's side so far this summer. From selling a swathe of first-team stars to signing a handful of promising youngsters, Chelsea are certainly making a splash in the market.
However, the name that has seemingly been attached to the club more than any other over the last month or so has been Brighton's Caicedo, as the saga to bring him to Stamford Bridge rumbles on.
The protracted nature of the deal is not from a lack of trying on the west Londoners' part, as according to Sky Sports, they have had two offers rebuffed by the Seagulls, the second being worth an eye-watering £80m.
That said, Roberto De Zerbi's side are under no obligation to sell after the 21-year-old signed a new £60,000-a-week contract in March this year that doesn't expire until summer 2027.
If the Pensioners want to secure the signature of La Joya, then they'll have to stump up the £100m that Brighton want – a fee that reflects the transfer of the positionally similar Declan Rice.
However, in good news for fans of the club, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that, despite their second offer being rejected, talks remain ongoing with the deal very much "still on."
He explained the situation on his YouTube channel, saying:
"From what I am told, and this is my information, is that the negotiations are not stalling now, the negotiations remain ongoing. Of course, with Brighton on their position, they want big money, and with Chelsea on their position, they don't want to overpay, but they are still speaking, they're still talking, and I still expect some contacts in the next days for Moises Caicedo.
"Then, at some point, it's going to be time to decide. For sure, the deal is still on while I'm speaking."
Who else has been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer?
While the Blues certainly seem set on signing Caicedo this summer, they're still looking elsewhere in the market for potential transfers so as not to be left empty-handed should the Ecuadorian remain on the south coast.
One of the names touted as a potential alternative is Southampton's exciting youngster, Romeo Lavia.
According to Football Insider, Chelsea are now 'plotting a full-scale hijack of Liverpool's pursuit' of the 19-year-old following the recent setback regarding Caicedo.
Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
The Merseysiders are currently leading the chase for the Belgian's signature, having seen their opening offer of £34m plus £4m in add-ons rejected as the Saints hold out for a team to match their £50m valuation.
Should a deal for Caicedo not materialise, Pochettino's side could use some of the money put aside for the Ecuardoian and make an offer Southampton feel they cannot refuse.
While he might not be the club's number one choice, the 5 foot 11 "monster" demonstrated his qualities last season, averaging a match rating of 6.56 in an incredibly dysfunctional Saints team and maintaining a passing accuracy of 86.4% to boot, per WhoScored.
Ultimately, Blues fans should rest assured that, at the moment, the deal to sign Caicedo is still on, and even if it collapses, Lavia could be the ideal alternative.