Redknapp baffled by Caicedo's 'astonishing' decision to reject Liverpool for Chelsea

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp

Jamie Redknapp speaks at Sky Sports' Opening Night event of the 2023-2024 Premier League season.

Jamie Redknapp is baffled at Moises Caicedo turning down a move to Liverpool to wait for a transfer to Chelsea this summer.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Friday that the Merseysiders had agreed a deal, believed to be for a fee of around £110m, with Brighton for Caicedo.

However, Chelsea are reportedly set to step up their interest in the 21-year-old with a similar bid of their own for the Ecuador international.

Redknapp baffled by Caicedo's 'astonishing' decision to reject Liverpool for Chelsea

The Blues have only previously made an offer for £80m, which fell way short of Brighton's valuation, but now they are ready to make another attempt for the player, who would prefer a move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's longstanding interest in him seems to have swayed Caicedo into telling Liverpool that 'he only wants to join' the Blues this summer with the Reds 'ready to walk away' from the transfer.

And former Liverpool midfielder Redknapp is struggling to understand why Caicedo would turn down Liverpool in order to wait for Chelsea.

"It's been astonishing what has happened these past few days," Redknapp on the Sky Sports Football podcast. "I thought I'd seen it all with football transfers.

"There was that Peter Odemwingie one a few years ago, my dad [Harry Redknapp] was involved with that one, but this will make for an incredible couple of days.

"What is most unbelievable about it is that we're just a few hours away from the Premier League starting and players don't know if they'll be going or staying. I think it's unbelievable.

"I'm obviously hugely biased on this one but this is astonishing for me. I didn't think I'd see a situation like this.

"Normally Liverpool would always win this one, they turned their attention from [Romeo] Lavia a couple of days ago, and now they've turned their attentions to Caicedo.

"I woke up and I thought it was inevitable. I was very happy with that one, but to hear the news he's turned Liverpool down. I'll believe it when I see it and when I see him in a Chelsea shirt. I find it quite astonishing.

"I get the attraction of Chelsea, I really do, but in terms of the history of the club, I'm amazed.

"Especially when you're turning down Jurgen Klopp who has been there for so long and could have joined [former Brighton team-mate] Alexis Mac Allister. I thought it would be a perfect move."

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