Liverpool "make contact" over Brighton's Moisés Caicedo

Liverpool have joined the race for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moisés Caicedo. Widespread reports suggest that the Reds have made initial contact with the south coast club and are exploring a deal for the 21-year-old.

Reports in The Telegraph go as far as saying that the Reds have outbid Premier League rivals Chelsea, having come to the table with a bid higher than £80 million.

However, The Athletic's James Pearce has downplayed the rumours, suggesting that the club has "made contact [sic] with Brighton"  but is "yet to make an offer”.

A £100-million valuation

Throughout the summer, Chelsea have been leading the race to secure the signature of the 21-year-old Ecuadorian, who had also been linked to Arsenal prior to their signing of Declan Rice from West Ham.

According to reports in the Daily Mail, Chelsea's latest bid - their fourth - was worth £75 million plus an extra £5 million in add-ons.

However, having already lost Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool this summer, the Seagulls are said to be holding out for around £100 million for the centre midfielder and have turned down multiple offers from the West London side.

This has been despite the player making it clear that he wished to head to Stamford Bridge as part of Mauricio Pochettino's rebuild.

Links to the Lavia deal

Although Liverpool have held a long-standing interest in Caicedo, who has made just 45 Premier League appearances, it's perhaps interesting that the club has chosen this week to formally express its interest - just as Chelsea made a £48-million offer for long-time Reds target Roméo Lavia of Southampton.

With Liverpool having three bids - the latest £46 million, including add-ons - rejected, perhaps now the two clubs who face each other this Sunday have switched targets in the pursuit of what they feel would offer a greater return on investment in their particular circumstances.

In addition to their move for Lavia, Fabrizio Romano reports that the club has triggered a £20-million release clause to buy Tyler Adams from the recently relegated Leeds United.

That said, the Guardian claims that Caicedo remains Mauricio Pochettino's top midfield target this summer. And with Caicedo seemingly set on a move to London, this game of cat and mouse could also be a negotiating tactic from both sides to extract maximum value.