Arsenal signing Rice played unexpected role in Chelsea’s bid for Moises Caicedo

Chelsea might not have signed Declan Rice but his move to Arsenal still cost them a heap of cash.

The Blues paid £115million, a British transfer record, to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton last week, but the fee wouldn't have been quite so high had the Gunners not splashed £105m on Rice in July.

Granted, Liverpool's out-of-the-blue bid of £111m played a significant part in raising Caicedo's price tag, but according to The Athletic Brighton were dead set on rejecting anything below nine figures once they saw how much West Ham raked in for their midfield dynamo.

Chelsea and Brighton had a decent relationship heading into the summer, though it was seriously tested as the two clubs butted heads in an attempt to thrash out a deal for the in-demand Ecuadorian.

READ MORE: Caicedo gifts West Ham penalty in nightmare Chelsea debut as Liverpool fans count errors

The Blues had four bids turned down, the last of which was worth a mere £80m including add-ons, which irritated Brighton as they'd rejected an £80m bid for the player from Arsenal on deadline day in January.

Tensions rose further due to Brighton's continued attempts to include Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, who spent last season on loan at the Amex Stadium, in the deal despite the London club's continual insistence that he wasn't for sale.

Eventually the two teams reached an agreement worth £115m, £100m of which was to be paid up front, after Liverpool's bid died a death when Caicedo informed them he only wanted Chelsea.

Who will end up having a more successful career, Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

The Blues were relieved to have finally landed their number one transfer target – and the man seen as the successor to N'Golo Kante's octopus-legged throne, while Brighton were delighted to get a fee considerably higher than they one they planned to hold out for at the start of the window.

Caicedo made his Chelsea debut on Sunday after coming on as second-half substitute against West Ham, but ended up conceding a last-minute penalty as the Blues lost 3-1.

Still, excitement over his arrival is palpable around Stamford Bridge, particularly given the prospect of him partnering fellow £100m+ star Enzo Fernandez in midfield for years to come.

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