Chelsea transfer news: Moises Caicedo has missed Brighton training ahead of their final friendly of the summer. The player is still a major taget for the Blues.

Moises Caicedo is absent for Brighton. (Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)×

Chelsea are running out of time to sign Moises Caicedo if they want him to be available for their Premier League opener against Liverpool on Sunday, August 13.

It is the next match scheduled for the Blues as they have a 10-day rest in-between their final friendly of pre-season and Mauricio Pochettino’s first competitive match in charge. Compared to Liverpool, who will have played twice since Chelsea’s last outing by the time they face off next week, the Blues have had a relatively calm time.

The Reds have scored 15 times in their five games so far, either scoring or conceding four times in all but one of those matches. Given the strength of their attack, lack of midfield balance and structural defensive issues, perhaps it isn’t a surprise.

It is the midfield that Chelsea themselves are looking to address having sold or released six first-team players since January. Caicedo is seen as the first-choice player to come in but continued struggles to make a breakthrough in talks with Brighton have made it a race against time.

The Blues have had four bids rejected for the 21-year-old with the latest coming in at £80million ($102m). That is still £20million ($23m) less than the Seagulls want to make on their prize asset though even if he is keen on a move.

Now, with Brighton in action for their final friendly before taking on Luton next weekend, Caicedo is absent from the squad. Although it is not directly said to be due to the transfer speculation surrounding him, it’s not the first time this year alone that such a decision has been made.

talkSPORT report that the Ecuadorian has felt a tightness in his hamstring and isn’t being risked for the game against Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile Sky Sports write that they are keen to let him focus on preparing for Luton.

It was only in January that they took the decision to have him miss training ahead of an FA Cup clash with Liverpool. That followed a social media post in which he appeared to be effectively handing in a transfer request in the wake of Arsenal’s bid for him. Seven months on and a not-too-dissimilar position has occurred once more.

Caicedo was absent from training on Friday ahead of the game, though that is thought to be injury related, but it now comes at a crunch point for Chelsea.

They have until Saturday, August 12 and 12pm to register Caicedo for their Premier League squad for the Liverpool clash according to Premier League rules but there is still a way to go before they even get close to that. For now it will be all eyes on Caicedo’s activity.

Soucre: football.london