Moises Caicedo is switching sides…

The 21-year-old Ecuadorian professional footballer has signed with Chelsea F.C. from Brighton, according to ESPN.

The Blues have had two bids rejected for Caicedo — the latest totaling £80 million ($101m) — but are expected to return with a third offer as confidence grows that an agreement can be reached.

Brighton have been holding out for a fee in excess of £100m but sources have told ESPN that Caicedo is pushing hard behind the scenes and wants to move to Stamford Bridge.

New Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino told ESPN in an exclusive interview last month that the club needed to strengthen in central areas after including just six midfielders in their 29-man squad for a preseason tour of the U.S.