One of the biggest summer transfers had taken quite a dramatic twist as the deadline approaches.
Brighton & Hove Albion defensive midfielder Moisés Caicedo was set to be bought by Liverpool for a British transfer fee record, with the Reds preparing to pay $141 million to acquire the services of the 21-year-old.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp himself confirmed the development on Friday.
"I can confirm the [Moises Caicedo] deal with the club is agreed, whatever that means in the end," Klopp told a news conference.
However, in a sensational turn of events a few hours later, the Ecuadorian player informed Liverpool that he prefers to join Premier League rivals Chelsea after agreeing to personal terms with the London-based club last May, as per Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano.
EXCLUSIVE: Moisés Caicedo has just informed Liverpool that he only wants to join Chelsea! 🚨🔵🇪🇨 #CFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 11, 2023
Caicedo has decided to keep his word and only accept Chelsea as personal terms were agreed since end of May.
Chelsea, set to bid again in order to get deal done with Brighton. pic.twitter.com/HI3geVVq9Z
One of the rumored factors of Caicedo's choice to join Chelsea is his preference to play for a South American manager, with Argentine Mauricio Pochettino calling the shots for Chelsea as opposed to the German Klopp for Liverpool.
Read more: Kylian Mbappe to Miss PSG's Season Opener Amid Contract War
Brighton won't accept less than a British record
Brighton will reportedly not accept a fee less than the British record transfer fee worth $141 million that Liverpool previously offered for Caicedo.
Chelsea is willing to make the same bid, even going as far as calling off their deal with American midfielder Tyler Adams despite his medical tests already completed.
Brighton previously rejected Chelsea's $100 million bid for Caicedo last June.
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