Moises Caicedo to Barcelona transfer talks revealed as Chelsea discover ‘complicated’ FFP issue

It has been revealed that Barcelona wanted to sign Moises Caicedo in the summer. The 22-year-old midfielder was heavily linked with several top clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool, before eventually deciding to join Chelsea.

football.london understands that the Reds reached a £110million agreement with Brighton to sign Caicedo, but the Ecuador international told Jurgen Klopp that he only wanted to join the Blues. As a result, a move to Anfield collapsed and the west Londoners swooped in.

Chelsea proceeded to agree a British-record £115million deal with the Seagulls, with Caicedo penning an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge. The Ecuadorian has featured 18 times for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in the Premier League this term, impressing in the heart of midfield despite some poor results.

However, it could have been all so different had Barcelona not been restricted by Financial Fair Play regulations. In an interview with Spanish publication AS, Caicedo’s agent has revealed that his client courted the interest of the Spanish giants, but a ‘complicated issue’ stopped a move from materialising.

“Yes, Barça asked. Barça asked, but it was an inaccessible subject for them. It was clear. In the end, with the Fair Play issue and so on, it was a complicated issue,” said Manuel Sierra. “But yes, they did ask us and well, that’s where it stayed. There was no official offer; there were only soundings. The normal thing in the markets.”

In December, Jurgen Klopp acknowledged his failed pursuit of Caicedo for the first time. During a question and answer session in front of Liverpool supporters at Anfield, he said: “The summer we had with a few strange things happen in the transfer market but here between us I can say: ‘my god we were lucky’.

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