While much of the exit talk at Chelsea has surrounded Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Marc Cucurella of late, there is a worrying realism that Moises Caicedo could be added to that list.
Fernandez has made it clear he would like to join Madrid, without saying as much. It has earned the World Cup winner a two-game ban, while Marc Cucurella hinted he would consider Barcelona.
Then, there is Cole Palmer. The England playmaker is supposedly a target for Manchester United, and there have been murmurs he is homesick. Palmer’s best pal suggested a move to Old Trafford is possible.
DISCUSS: Is there a better defensive midfielder than Moises Caicedo? 🫨
Caicedo's stats v West Ham
But unlike Cucurella and Fernandez, Moises Caicedo ruled out a move while with Ecuador. He was asked about Madrid wanting a midfielder and replied, I am a Chelsea player and want to be a Chelsea legend.
How much Chelsea would request for Moises Caicedo
Bought from Brighton for £100m, Caicedo is set to captain Chelsea on Sunday with Fernandez and James absent. He is a key player in this Chelsea side, and the Blues cannot afford to lose the Ecuador midfielder.
With Madrid needing midfielders, Caicedo will almost certainly be on their radar given he is one of the best at what he does. Liam Rosenior has described him as the best midfielder in the world right now.
Moisés Caicedo of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Speaking on the Chelsea FC Podcast, transfer expert Ben Jacobs says that if Chelsea were to receive interest in the former Brighton star then realistically, to make a profit on him, they’d request £200m.
“If you’re talking about the category of players at Chelsea Football Club that are in excess of £80m in terms of current market valuation, Moises Caicedo would need a British transfer record,” he said.
“Above Alexander Isak to make a profit on. And obviously, if Chelsea got an offer there, they would still say no and probably demand closer £200m if they were forced to put a valuation on him.”
Moises Caicedo would be joint-top with Neymar
As things stand, the most expensive transfer in world football is Neymar’s move from Barcelona to PSG in the summer of 2017. Neymar moved clubs for a whopping £200m nine years ago. He’s at Santos, now.
PROVE ME WRONG: No midfielder is more perfect for Caicedo, than Barco 🔟
Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal for Barco.
Caicedo would go right in alongside the Brazilian as the world’s joint-most expensive transfer, ever. It is interesting to note that Chelsea have only ever been involved in one of the top 10 most expensive deals.
Enzo Fernández’s arrival from Benfica is the fifth biggest buy, ever. Kylian Mbappe, Alexander Isak, and Joao Felix are above Fernandez, along with Neymar. Caicedo’s deal comes in at 11th, behind Declan Rice.
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