Liverpool’s Failed Pursuit of Moises Caicedo: Agent Reveals Midfielder “Only Wanted Chelsea”

Liverpool’s summer pursuit of Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo fell through, and his agent has now revealed that the player “only wanted Chelsea” after negotiations with the London club had failed to result in a transfer.

At one stage, the deal looked destined for Anfield after what would have been a British record £111 million agreement was reached with Brighton last month. However, Chelsea eventually trumped Liverpool’s offer to secure the signing at £115 million.

Speaking on the Reds’ failed attempts to land the player, Caicedo’s agent Andrea Pellegatti has claimed that his client “only wanted Chelsea” after the two clubs “fought” for his signature.

“£116 million, equivalent to €133 million euros. The result of long work on the player, who quickly progressed in England after moving to Belgium,” Pellegatti told Sport Italia when discussing the eventual deal.

“With De Zerbi, he exploded and then we arrived at Chelsea and Liverpool who fought over it. The amount paid is no accident. It was finalised in the last few hours, but the boy only wanted Chelsea, who had started to express their interest in a consistent manner since January.”

Liverpool’s approach for Caicedo came somewhat out of the blue after negotiations with Southampton to sign Romeo Lavia had begun to stall. The Reds turned their attention back to Lavia after the Caicedo move fell through, only for the Belgian to also opt for a switch to Stamford Bridge over Anfield.

Wataru Endo arrived from Stuttgart a few weeks later for £16 million before the club shifted their focus to “multi-functional” midfield options. The summer business was concluded when Ryan Gravenberch became the fourth midfield acquisition of the window, but his long-term role within the side remains uncertain.

It appears Chelsea’s long-standing interest was enough to get the deal over the line and caused Liverpool to change tack somewhat in the weeks that followed. Whether the Reds will regret allowing the player to slip through their fingers remains to be seen, but the midfielder has made a less-than-impressive start to his Chelsea career so far.

Liverpool’s Summer Pursuit of Moises Caicedo

Liverpool had been linked with a move for Moises Caicedo since January 2021, with reports suggesting that the Reds were keen to sign the Ecuadorian midfielder from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Reds had been in negotiations with Brighton for several weeks and had reportedly agreed a British record fee of £111 million for the 20-year-old. However, Chelsea eventually trumped Liverpool’s offer and secured the signing at £115 million.

Speaking on Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Caicedo, his agent Andrea Pellegatti has revealed that his client “only wanted Chelsea” after the two clubs “fought” for his signature.

Pellegatti said: “£116 million, equivalent to €133 million euros. The result of long work on the player, who quickly progressed in England after moving to Belgium. With De Zerbi, he exploded and then we arrived at Chelsea and Liverpool who fought over it. The amount paid is no accident. It was finalised in the last few hours, but the boy only wanted Chelsea, who had started to express their interest in a consistent manner since January.”

Liverpool’s Change of Tactics After Failed Pursuit

After Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Caicedo, the Reds turned their attention back to Romeo Lavia who they had been in negotiations with Southampton for several weeks. However, Lavia opted for a switch to Stamford Bridge over Anfield.

Liverpool then shifted their focus to “multi-functional” midfield options and signed Wataru Endo from Stuttgart for £16 million before concluding their summer business with the signing of Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax.

It appears that Chelsea’s long-standing interest in Caicedo was enough to get the deal over the line and caused Liverpool to change tack somewhat in the weeks that followed. Whether Liverpool will regret allowing the player to slip through their fingers remains to be seen, but the midfielder has made a less-than-impressive start to his Chelsea career so far.