Roberto De Zerbi does not currently envision a future where Moises Caicedo departs Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, unless a club can change owner Tony Bloom’s mind on the matter.
Ben Jacobs relayed the Seagulls boss’ comments on Twitter, with the 44-year-old playing coy over a potential exit amid Chelsea interest.
"I don’t know what can happen in the future, but if Moises leaves we have to find the right player because it’s difficult to replace a player as good as Moises… We have to substitute him with a great player because this year we play in the Europa League unlike Chelsea."
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 22, 2023
🗣️ If Caicedo says he wants to leave, is there any point trying to keep him? "You have to speak with Tony [Bloom] not with me [to see] if he wants to leave. He extended his contract in February and now we are in July, so after five months I don’t know if he can change his idea."
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 22, 2023
The Blues are in clear need of quality in the middle of the park after sanctioning several exits of their own in the department – most notably academy posterboy Mason Mount to Manchester United.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp wants two things from Liverpool fans for 2023/24 season
The ongoing delays in talks between both clubs could, perhaps, be of great interest to Jurgen Klopp and Co. at a time when both Premier League experience and quality would be a godsend.
Cheick Doucoure is another name who may tick that box for our recruitment team, though it remains to be seen whether Crystal Palace’s asking price – reportedly numbering past the £70m mark – proves too prohibitive for a move.
With there hardly a surplus of options in the market, of course, we’d be surprised to see Liverpool secure a surprise gem on the cheap.
In that vein of thought, were we forced to pay over the odds for a readymade talent who can fill the rather sizeable hole dug out by Fabinho and Jordan Henderson’s impending departures, why not go all out on Alexis Mac Allister former Brighton partner with whom he possessed a great understanding?
The South Coast-based outfit’s ongoing hard stance, however, suggests we’ll need to go seriously big on the Ecuadorian. Potentially in the region of the money Benfica are considered likely to demand for Florentino Luis’ signature this summer, if (and it’s a big ‘if’ at this stage) we are to change Tony Bloom’s mind.
🚨 Chelsea made improved 2nd offer for Moises Caicedo on Monday. After £60m rejected by Brighton early June, latest bid in writing worth £70m fixed; no add-ons. #BHAFC turned down again. 21yo midfielder wants #CFC switch. W/ @AndyNaylorBHAFC @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/0WUDX9XNcZ
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 18, 2023
#Ep82 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Who do Liverpool replace Henderson & Fabinho with?
It is madness to be expected to speak what other person wishes to speak. And if you don’t you are said to be repeating. I wish to state categorically and explicitly that comparing LFC and Man.City is not justice. Man.City have quality whereas LFC have quantity. There should be no comparison at all.