Brighton and Chelsea have been locked in intense negotiations all summer over the transfer of Moises Caicedo.
Chelsea have seen the Seagulls consistently rebuff their advances, holding out for the named price of £100million.
The Blues are said to have offered as much as £80m for the Ecuador midfielder which isn’t seen as enough.
Having already lost Alexis Mac Allister for cheap this summer, Brighton are in no rush to sell Caicedo.
Matters have been made more complicated by the interest from Brighton in Levi Colwill and Chelsea’s unwillingness to discuss a deal.
De Zerbi planning with Caicedo in mind
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has now revealed he is planning for the season with his talented midfielder in mind.
Caicedo was seen leading his teammates out for training on Monday, and could feature this week against Brentford.
As reported by Sussex World, De Zerbi said: “OK, we are Brighton and I can understand we have to sell any player at the end of the season like Mac Allister.”
He continued, “But at the moment, I have not received news that Caicedo can leave tomorrow or in the next week. I start the next season with Caicedo in my head in the first XI, for sure.”
With the season kicking off on August 12th, there likely to be a decisive move before then with neither side wanting to wait until the season starts.
Moises to stay?
What seemed utterly out of the question could be about to happen if Chelsea fail to make an improved bid soon.
The 21-year-old signed a new contract at the South Coast side last season, signalling he is happy at the club which makes a move even less likely.
Brighton don’t need to sell and will be happy to keep their prized asset, if Chelsea refuse to cough up the £100m that they as for.
This will stand Brighton in good stead for future years, with clubs aware they won’t sell cheap.