De Zerbi ‘didn’t give his word’ to Caicedo; Brighton boss quashes Romano’s Chelsea ‘promise’ claim | OneFootball

Roberto De Zerbi hugs Moises Caicedo (right) and Fiorentina defender Igor (left).

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi insists Chelsea target Moises Caicedo is in his plans for the 2023/24 campaign.

Caicedo is reportedly eager to secure a move to Stamford Bridge this summer after failing to force his way to London rivals Arsenal in the winter transfer window.

The Ecuadorian midfielder published a statement on his Instagram page asking to be sold to the Gunners, who had a £70million bid rejected by the Seagulls.

In order to preserve his transfer value whilst giving the player the salary he deserves, Brighton and Caicedo agreed a new four-year contract with the option to extend until 2028.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed earlier this year that De Zerbi “promised” the 21-year-old he would be allowed to leave in the summer window.

However, the Italian head coach said on Friday evening he has not told Caicedo he will get a move.

“No it’s not true because I am coach, not owner, coach, not sporting director,” De Zerbi said.

“In my work I am used to speaking with my players every day, part of life not only football but I didn’t give my word for nothing.

“We didn’t speak about the next transfer market window, for me he is a player like the others.

“Okay we are Brighton and I can understand we have to sell players at the end of the season like [Alexis] Mac Allister but at the moment I have not received news Caicedo has to leave tomorrow [or] in the next week.

“I start the season with Caicedo in my head, in the first XI.”

Brighton are reportedly asking for £100m for Caicedo after Declan Rice joined Arsenal for a similar fee.

When asked if the Ecuadorian youngster is worth the money, De Zerbi said: “You are asking not of my work, my work if you ask me about the full back or midfielder, inside of the pitch I can answer but about the price my work.

“I think Caicedo is a player of the first XI and about the price, we have an owner, we have CEO, a sporting director who can decide the right price.

“We are coaches, it is always difficult working with different players, working with the transfer market open, working when your player leaves and arrives another and to be able to give for everyone the same idea, the same language is always difficult.

“I have smart players, open to understand new ideas for me last year was easy to start my work, my time in Brighton, I don’t know for [Mauricio] Pochettino.”

And asked if Caicedo could be unsettled if he fails to get a move to Chelsea, De Zerbi responded: “I think no because Caicedo signed his contract in February and now we are in July and I can’t imagine he can change his idea, no?

“He is honoured to receive other interest but he knows very well our club how they manage and we we will see what happens in the next week.”

Caicedo recently admitted that he would struggle to turn down a move to Chelsea.

He said: “It’s a big team, that’s true. A very historic team which I can’t say no [to joining] because it’s a very big, historic, beautiful team.

“The city as well is beautiful. It’s got everything beautiful.”

In a bit of good news for Brighton fans, they are close to completing the signing of Fiorentina defender Igor, according to The Telegraph.

The £15m addition indicates De Zerbi is preparing for the new season without Chelsea’s Levi Colwill, who spent last term on loan at the Amex.

Fulham are also interested in Igor, though Brighton are ‘moving forward’ in the race to land the 25-year-old Brazilian.