Chelsea’s pursuit of Moises Caicedo from Brighton has ended in disappointment as Liverpool clinches the deal with a staggering £110 million fee for the midfielder.

Despite Chelsea’s intense interest in the Seagulls’ midfielder throughout the summer, negotiations hit a roadblock due to Brighton’s unwavering stance on their high valuation of Caicedo.

As the deadline loomed, Liverpool threw their hat into the ring, intensifying the competition. Just ahead of Chelsea’s showdown against Jurgen Klopp’s team on Sunday, David Ornstein reports that the Reds secured a last-minute agreement to secure the services of the

Brighton reportedly conducted an auction with a deadline set for midnight on Thursday, and Liverpool emerged as the victors with the highest bid. Chelsea put forward an offer of £100 million, but Liverpool’s bid of £110 million was ultimately accepted.

Pochettino’s team is on the verge of finalizing the acquisition of Tyler Adams, the midfielder from Leeds United, by activating his release clause. Despite having their bid for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia rejected this week, it’s probable that the Blues will make another attempt, having failed to secure Caicedo. The question of who will partner Enzo Fernandez on the Premier League’s opening day remains uncertain, with indications that Caicedo is headed to Anfield.

In the preseason, Andrey Santos made a strong impression, while Conor Gallagher was also featured alongside Chelsea’s January signing. As the Caicedo saga concludes and Chelsea loses their primary target, their upcoming match against Liverpool on Sunday takes on added intrigue.