FANS joked Moises Caicedo’s transfer value has soared to £500million – after Manchester United named their asking price for Scott McTominay.
Brighton face a battle this summer to keep hold of their talismanic midfielder Caicedo.
Brigton are desperate to hold out for £100m for Moises CaicedoRex
Scott McTominay could head to West Ham as Declan Rice’s replacementGetty
The Ecuadorian star, 21, has been heavily linked with Chelsea – who have seen two bids rejected – while United are also interested.
Brighton owner Tony Bloom is holding out for £100m for Caicedo.
But reports that the Red Devils will not sell McTominay – another Premier League midfielder tipped for a transfer – for less than £40m has prompted Seagulls supporters to urge their club to revalue Caicedo.
And one fan quipped the £40m price tag on McTominay’s head amid West Ham interest means Caicedo’s worth has skyrocketed.
They wrote on Twitter: “ Caicedo is now worth £500m @ChelseaFC.”
Another said: “Chelsea fans this is why we’re asking for £100m for Caicedo xx”
Others were baffled by the money United want for their academy graduate.
One said: “£40m for Scott McTominay… worth £10m max.”
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Another added: “£40m for an extremely limited midfielder is insane.”
Chelsea’s second bid to Brighton for Caicedo was worth £70m.
But the Blues were reportedly told it was “nowhere near enough” because the South Coast club reckon their No25 is similar in value to Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal for £105m.
In addition, Brighton rejected a £70m bid from the Gunners for Caicedo as recently as January.
The midfielder has since signed a new four-year deal through to the summer of 2027.
He also starred as the Seagulls went on to secure qualification for this season’s Europa League.
Liverpool were also linked with Caicedo as a possible replacement should Fabinho leave but Stamford Bridge remains the youngster’s preferred destination and he has even admitted “he can’t say no” to joining Chelsea.
The midfielder also let out a small smirk when asked if he was about to sign for the Blues during Brighton’s pre-season tour in America.
However, boss Roberto De Zerbi confirmed Caicedo is going nowhere unless another club offers the right price – and could not resist a brutal dig at Chelsea.
The Italian said: “It’s a clear situation at the moment. He stays with us until my owner changes his mind.
“I don’t know what can happen in the future, but if Moises leaves we have to find the right player because it’s difficult to replace a player as good as Moises.
“We have to substitute him with a great player because this year we play in the Europa League, unlike Chelsea.”