Brighton appear to have found their replacement for Moises Caicedo as Chelsea step up their interest in the midfielder this summer.
After acting quickly to snap up Premier League veteran James Milner on a free transfer from Liverpool earlier this year, the Seagulls have also added even more European experience to their squad in the form of Borussia Dortmund's Mahmoud Dahoud. The 27-year-old moves to the south coast with the aim of enhancing Roberto De Zerbi's options ahead of a Europa League campaign to look forward to.
They are still to truly make up for the loss of both Alexis Mac Allister, though, as they also prepare for life without Caicedo. After De Zerbi admitted that both the World Cup winner and Caicedo were free to leave towards the end of the season, an official bid for the Ecuadorian is yet to come in.
Liverpool moved to snap up Mac Allister for a £35million ($44.8million) fee but Caicedo is set to bring in much more to the Amex Stadium. Offers of over £65million ($83.3million) were rejected for the impressive 21-year-old in January as Chelsea and Arsenal attempted to lure him away from Brighton.
These were both turned down swiftly by the Seasiders, though. Now, with Caicedo all but certain to leave, Chelsea know they need to produce a huge bid in order to make any progress with negotiations. He is, however, the priority signing for the coming weeks of the window, football.london understands.
Now, with Brighton readying themselves for serious attention to start being shown in their prize asset, it is reported that they have found a player they are keen to bring in to replace him.
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The Daily Mail write that Leeds star man, Tyler Adams, is being pursued as a cheap and experienced option in the middle of the park. Adams was helpless with injury towards the end of the season as Leeds were relegated back to the Championship after three years in the top flight.
As one of the standout stars for the Yorkshire side, the 24-year-old is set to jump straight back up to the top flight. As captain of his country and one the most energetic young midfielders about, it is said that a £25million ($32million) price tag could be enough to make a move possible.
Adams has previously been linked with a move to Arsenal but is now being courted by Aston Villa, Everton and Nottingham Forest all said to be in the race to sign him.
Chelsea may well be hopeful that a deal can be pushed through here as it would almost certainly give them an added way into signing Caicedo.
