Moises Caicedo informs Liverpool that he 'only wants to join Chelsea' following Reds' £110m bid – report

Moises Caicedo has reportedly informed Liverpool that he "only wants to join Chelsea" following the Reds' £110m bid being accepted by the Ecuadorian's current club Brighton.

Liverpool had looked set to smash their transfer record after Brighton reportedly agreed a British record fee for midfielder Caicedo.

Brighton had held a surprise auction for the 21-year-old – which closed at midnight on Thursday – with Liverpool gazumping Chelsea's £100m offer, according to The Athletic.

Caicedo was set to travel to Merseyside for a medical on Friday - before this new twist.

Liverpool's midfield has already experienced a major overhaul this summer, but on the latest evidence it looks as though it may not get further reinforcement at this stage.

They signed Caicedo's former Brighton team-mate Alexis Mac Allister, as well as RB Leipzig's Dominik Szoboszlai, while Fabinho and Jordan Henderson left to join the Saudi Pro League, and Naby Keita departed on a free transfer.

The Reds' bid comes amid a tense summer battle with Chelsea, with both clubs also reportedly making bids for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.

Liverpool's current transfer record is the £75m capture of Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in 2017.

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, talking on Friday, was candid when asked about Caicedo.

"I've already forgotten Moises," the Italian said. "I'm really proud of the players we have in the squad.

"We have to complete the squad. We want to improve the squad because we lost Mac Allister, [Levi] Colwill, maybe we lose Caicedo, but we have to be ready."

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