Brighton have reportedly put a 100 million price tag on Moises Caicedo, a serious blow to Liverpool's hopes of signing the midfielder.
The Ecuadorian international has been making headlines this January, with Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle all keen to sign the midfielder.
The Times reported that Chelsea had made a formal offer of 55m for Caicedo, but Brighton was quick to reject it, claiming he would need almost double that to see him leave Amex.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi is understandably keen to keep the midfielder after the loss of Leandro Trossar to Arsenal in January.
The Italian explained late last month:
"I would like to keep all the players here and add some. We hope Caicedo and (Alexis) Mac Allister stay with us."
However, according to multiple reports, the triple-digit price tag may come as a surprise to the club, which was previously said to cost just 65million.
If Brighton decide to sell Caicedo, the Ecuadorian club two years ago he's Independiente del Valle and they'll benefit a lot as he signed the midfielder for 5million. I guess.
Caicedo 'focus on Brighton'
Despite speculation about his future, Caicedo told Brighton's website: "I'm happy to be playing for a club that has opened its doors to me."
he said:
"My focus is on Brighton. I am here. I play every day What's outside doesn't bother me, and it doesn't distract me because I'm only focused on this.
I am handling (speculation) well. I hear rumors here and there, but I try to focus on the club I am in, the club that opened the door for me to play every week.
Caicedo has remained in impressive form since returning from the World Cup in Qatar, but said he has struggled to readjust to the temperatures in England.
He said:
The hardest part for me was getting used to the cold again. Nothing else! The rest was focused on fighting for good positions in Brighton. "We are getting better and better. Every game there is development - we are all getting along better. The coaches give us confidence that we can always do well on the pitch.
"Roberto [De Zerbi] really helped me get the ball out the back and I think I learned a lot.
"I like playing the ball out of the backout. It's coming out of a deep position and is making good progress. It's the system he chose and I enjoy it.
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