Chelsea have reportedly determined their stance regarding the availability of Moises Caicedo.
Since arriving at Stamford Bridge in a £115m deal in August 2023, the Ecuador international has reaffirmed his status as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football.
A total of 80 starts and five substitutes outings have been made in all competitions, Caicedo having a crucial role to play when Romeo Lavia has struggled with injury in the long term.
Holding a contract until 2031, the 23-year-old is tied to the West Londoners for years to come, yet reports have emerged regarding interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Earlier this week, it was claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr had identified Caicedo as their 'dream target' for the engine room.
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Chelsea set Caicedo stance
Having shelled out a British transfer record for a player in Caicedo who has since enhanced his reputation, it is plausible to expect Chelsea to value him in excess of the fee that they shelled out less than two years ago.
Nevertheless, as per football.london, Chelsea's hierarchy have no intention of entertaining any offers for Caicedo when the market reopens in June.
The report suggests that the former Brighton & Hove Albion man is viewed as one of the club's most important players behind the scenes.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Chelsea's position with the Premier League's and UEFA's financial regulations, it was natural to expect consideration to be given to a sale for the right number.
Cashing in on Caicedo would have caused friction with the fans, yet would tick a significant box when it came to complying with the relevant rules.
However, it appears that Caicedo's future, most certainly in the short term, will be at Chelsea as they bid to get back into the Champions League and start winning trophies again.
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Will Al-Nassr back off?
During the winter transfer window, Al-Nassr showcased their spending capabilities by signing Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran in a £64m deal.
With Caicedo one of the top-tier defensive midfielders in world football, it is understandable why they have set their sights on another young player with room for improvement.
As it stands, it is unclear what Caicedo's stance would be, yet it should not be forgotten that he has previously spoken about being impressed with the effort that Chelsea made to sign him ahead of Liverpool in 2023.
Darren Plant
