According to the Times, Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Egbhali have taken charge of negotiations to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton.

Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, led talks with Brighton this summer in which the west London club had three bids rejected for Caicedo, the latest being £80 million.

Liverpool hijacked the deal on Thursday night by agreeing a £111 million fee with Brighton for the 21-year-old but are yet to secure personal terms with Caicedo only keen on joining Chelsea.

Chelsea consider signing Caicedo to be vital for the new campaign, which is why Boehly and Eghbali have taken the reins with negotiations and are prepared to raise Chelsea’s offer.