Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has proposed a swap deal involving Levi Colwill in order to break the deadlock over Moises Caicedo’s potential transfer to Chelsea.

Chelsea are keen on signing the Ecuador midfielder this summer and have already seen a bid of around £70million rejected by Brighton.

Brighton are demanding a fee close to the £105million Arsenal paid to sign Declan Rice from West Ham.

Chelsea defender Colwill impressed on loan at Brighton last season and Brighton are hoping Chelsea include the defender in a swap deal for Caicedo.

De Zerbi said: “There are two questions. Not only about Caicedo, also about Colwill, and maybe it can be [a swap].

“I would like to play with Caicedo and Colwill together but at the moment I can only speak about Caicedo as Colwill is not one of my players.”