Roberto De Zerbi is hopeful that Moises Caicedo will stay at Brighton amid interest in the midfielder from Chelsea.
Caicedo has shone since breaking into the Brighton team last season and his performances have not gone unnoticed at the Premier League’s wealthiest clubs. Chelsea are interested in signing a midfielder this month and are reported to have had a £55m offer turned down.
Graham Potter signed the 21-year-old at Brighton, before his departure to take charge of Chelsea and September, and is keen on reuniting with Caicedo at Stamford Bridge.
The midfielder has impressed during Brighton’s strong start to the season with the Seagulls pushing for a place in Europe next season.
Speaking ahead of Brighton’s trip to face Leicester this weekend, De Zerbi hinted that Caicedo could leave next summer but outlined his hope that Ecuador international will remain with the club beyond the January deadline.
“Moises is very important for us,” De Zerbi said at his pre-match press conference.
“It is difficult to change with another player now at this stage. I hope he finishes the season with us, but it’s always difficult to be certain. When big teams want our players, it’s good news for the club.
“The best solution is that he finishes the season with us and for him, in the summer, it’s better then if he changes teams. I don’t know if he will continue to play like this – the last games – it is possible he can leave for another team [in the summer].”
