Chelsea have reportedly hit a stumbling block in their efforts to sign Moises Caicedo, with Brighton & Hove Albion remaining firm with the stance on the matter.
The 21-year-old has attracted interest from around the Premier League after impressing under both Graham Potter and Roberto De Zerbi in the 2022-23 season.
The Seagulls finished sixth in the English top flight under their Italian boss, achieving their highest placement in the club's history, earning a spot in next season's Europa League.
Caicedo played in all but one of Brighton's Premier League matches last term - starting 34 of those clashes - and provided two goal contributions from a deep-lying midfield position.
According to The Guardian, Chelsea face a massive task in bringing Caicedo to Stamford Bridge, as Brighton are unwilling to sell the Colombian unless Levi Colwill goes the other way.
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It is understood that the West Londoners tabled a bid worth £70m for the Seagulls midfielder earlier this month - one which was swiftly rejected by the South-coast club.
Mauricio Pochettino's men are said to be preparing an improved offer of £80m, although it is believed that Brighton value the 21-year-old at £100m.
Chelsea have reportedly been told that they have a better chance of securing Caicedo if they are willing to part ways with Colwill, however the Blues see the defender as someone who is of long-term importance to the club.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan with De Zerbi's side, playing 17 Premier League matches as Brighton clinched a top-six finish for the first time in their history.
Following the departure of Kalidou Koulibaly and the serious leg injury suffered by Wesley Fofana, Pochettino is understood to be increasingly aware of the role that Colwill may have in his first team this term.
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The centre-back is supposedly eyeing up a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the European Championships in Germany next summer, meaning that his priority is to secure regular game time in the 2023-24 campaign.
As the Blues and the Seagulls fight off the field over the futures of Caicedo and Colwill, the two sides met in the first match of the Premier League Summer Series in Philadelphia over the weekend.
De Zerbi's men came out on the wrong side of the seven-goal thriller in front of over 60,000 fans in the United States, with new signings Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson both getting on the scoresheet for the Londoners.
Chelsea face Newcastle United in their next Summer Series fixture on Wednesday night, while Brighton will meet Brentford, who also lost their first game of the tournament on the weekend.
Carter White
