Chelsea have registered their interest in Brighton 's Moises Caicedo, according to reports.
The Blues are looking to bolster their options this summer with Mauricio Pochettino now at the helm. The club's hierarchy haven't been shy in spending huge sums since taking control in West London and it could take £100m to prise Caicedo away from the Amex.
Caicedo has been a star performer for the Seagulls, who qualified for Europe for the first time ever last term. His performances attracted the interest of Arsenal in January but Chelsea are now hoping to win the race with contact between the clubs at executive level taking place.
Brighton have already parted with Alexis Mac Allister, who joined Liverpool, and are resigned to losing Caicedo should a club meet their valuation as they cannot compete on wages. The Athletic understands that they are monitoring Declan Rice's next move and will use his fee as a barometer.
Those on the south coast view Caicedo as at least Rice's equal, if not better. They will not let the Ecuadorian leave for less than the West Ham star with Arsenal already seeing an £80m bid for the England international rejected. The Hammers want £100m, which suggests Caicedo will go for a similar amount.
The Brighton did previously anger fans when he spoke of his desire to take up Arsenal's interest back in January. Caicedo, 21, wrote on social media that he was honoured to bring in a club-record fee, but Brighton had no plans to accept the bid and the player later penned a new deal.
Chelsea already have a £100m man in their midfield in the form of Argentina's World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, who headed to Stamford Bridge in January. The club have a heavily stocked squad and are likely to move on several big names, which will allow Pochettino to bring in his own players.
Mason Mount's future remains unclear with no contract yet signed and personal terms reportedly agreed with Manchester United. A fee now needs to be negotiated. Mateo Kovacic could too head north with Manchester City keen on the Croatian international.
N'Golo Kante is yet to sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge with the Frenchman potentially being offered millions by a Saudi Arabian outfit as they look to attract big names. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has been unable to establish himself at Chelsea, could also depart.
