Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo for a British record fee of £115m.

But Caicedo’s preference has been Chelsea and they have finally succeeded after having a succession of bids rejected earlier this summer.

The fee means Chelsea will break the British record twice in 2023, following the £107m purchase in January of Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

Caicedo, who was left out of Brighton’s squad for their season-opening win at home to Luton Town, is still to have a medical.

It is understood the initial fee is £100m, with half the additional payments said to be easily achievable, while Brighton have also negotiated a sell-on clause.

Brighton had set a fee in excess of £100m for Caicedo and said they felt no-one would reach it. Chelsea are believed to have bid £80m previously.

In his news conference before the Luton game, Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi said he had “already forgotten” about Caicedo, adding: “Bigger clubs can buy our players but they can’t buy our soul or spirit.”

Caicedo joined Brighton from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle for £4m in February 2021, although he did not make his Premier League debut until April 2022.

He asked to leave Brighton in the January transfer window earlier this year and Arsenal had multiple offers turned down for the midfielder before he signed a new contract with the Seagulls until 2027 in March.

More to follow.