Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo is reportedly having second thoughts about joining Liverpool despite the Reds hijacking Chelsea‘s plans with an £111million bid.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side looked like the new frontrunners to seal the Ecuador international’s signature having offered above Brighton’s £105m asking price – with Chelsea later bidding £100m.
The German boss even confirmed that the club’s bid had been accepted with the player looking destined to become a Liverpool star this summer, but now Sky Sports have claimed Caicedo is not totally convinced about heading to Anfield.
Reporter Dhamesh Sheth said the player was having ‘second thoughts’, with Caicedo and his representatives still in London ahead of plans to travel to Liverpool for a medical on Friday.
Sheth previously reported that he was expected to arrive for his medical on Merseyside in the afternoon
Brighton star Moises Caicedo (R) is reportedly having second thoughts about joining Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool
Should Liverpool’s move for Caicedo fall through, it will be the latest blow for Klopp’s midfield plans after failing to get a deal for £50m-rated Romeo Lavia from Southampton over the line.
The German boss is also facing a gaping hole in his midfield after the summer departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
At his pre-match press-conference ahead of their Premier League season-opener against Chelsea, Klopp alluded to the Caicedo deal being close to completion, but insisted the club did not have ‘endless resources’ despite the deal being a British-record.
‘I’m told I can confirm that the deal with the club is agreed, whatever that means,’ he said.
‘We have not endless resources, but we had a few things happen this summer that we didn’t expect. Hendo, Fab going.
‘Let’s see what happens and then we go from there. I don’t know [if there is a medical today].
‘Let’s talk about that if these kind of things happen, I really can’t say about that, that’s the truth.’
Klopp’s words come after a separate report claimed Chelsea were still adamant they would not give up on Caicedo despite Liverpool looking favourites for his signature.
Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian claimed the Blues were still hopeful of doing a deal after their bid of £100m was gazumped by the Reds. Personal terms are yet to be agreed but were expected to be a formality.
Liverpool will likely pay more in wages to Caicedo than Chelsea had offered.
Caicedo and his team are currently still in London ahead of heading to Liverpool for a medical
It will be a huge blow for Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino if Caicedo joins Liverpool – but the Blues are reportedly refusing to give up on him
Chelsea had four offers turned down before bidding £100m on Thursday night and looked like the front runners for his signature.
However, Liverpool remained interested from a distance and had asked to be kept informed on developments.
The Reds grew tired of Southampton’s valuation of 19-year-old Romeo Lavia and though fans criticised the club for not spending on the Belgian, it is understood Liverpool’s reluctance was not because of a lack of funds but due to their valuation of Lavia based on his age and experience.
Unless Chelsea can spark a huge turnaround and Caicedo does perform a U-turn, he will become Liverpool’s third major signing of the summer after Alexis Mac Allister, also from Brighton, and fellow midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig.