In-demand Brighton star has confirmed he is keen to move to this summer, describing the club as a ‘beautiful team’ that would be impossible to say no to.
The west Londoners are believed to have made the 21-year-old their top midfield target but the Seagulls are .
Brighton feel Caicedo is worth just as much as – who is set to join Arsenal from in a £105m deal – and they actually rejected two bids from the Gunners in January, the second of which was worth £75m.
Caicedo signed a contract extension shortly after the winter window closed though there was thought to be an understanding that he would be allowed to leave if a suitable offer was received.
Chelsea are willing to pay around £80m to land the Ecuadorian and Caicedo is keen to make the move to Stamford Bridge even though the Blues – unlike Brighton – will not be playing in Europe next season.
Asked specifically about the interest from Chelsea, Caicedo told : ‘It’s a big team, that’s true, a very historic team.
‘I can’t say no because it’s a very big, historic, beautiful team. And the city as well is beautiful.’
On how he deals with the speculation and noise around him, he continued: ‘It’s a very great emotion. What guy wouldn’t want them to be talking about him?
‘I know how to handle it. I don’t get carried away by emotions. I’m enjoying time with my family for now. There is pressure, but I am calm.
‘I am waiting for whatever God decides. He will know what is best for me.’
Although Caicedo is keen to make the move to Stamford Bridge, he is full of praise for current club Brighton, saying: ‘They opened the door for me in the Premier League. I am very happy to be there, all the moments that I have shared there I will always carry with me.
‘The truth is this has been a dream year for me. Thanks to God I have achieved many things and I am very happy to be doing what I like the most at a very high level, and that people are speaking highly of me.
‘So that’s something that’s very, very nice, something that I dreamed of and now I am living it.’
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