Chelsea “do not” want to pay all of the transfer fee upfront for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to Football.London.

The website claim that the Blues want to structure the deal so they can pay the £80m needed to buy the Ecuadorian in instalments. However, it is proving to be a “real issue” in talks with Brighton, who are known to be extremely tough negotiators.

Caicedo is thought to have verbally agreed personal terms already, although the player has yet to put pen to paper on any contract, as negotiations over the fee continue.

For Chelsea fans, it is very much a waiting game to find out whether a compromise can be reached over the payment structure. The London club are very conscious of Financial Fairplay rules, and shelling out £80m in one lump sum is not something they can sanction.

Is the deal in danger of being hijacked by other teams?

One of the main fears that supporters have when negotiations take so long is that another club could swoop in and sign the player instead.

However, with Caicedo, that doesn’t seem that likely. The other main suitors are currently not in a position to sign the 21-year-old. Arsenal, who made two bids for the player in January, are set to sign another midfielder, Declan Rice, for a club record £105m.

Manchester United, who were linked with Caicedo earlier in the summer, are said to be concentrating on purchasing a goalkeeper and a striker.

Chelsea are looking at other transfer targets

In addition to Caicedo, the Blues are said to be seriously contemplating a bid for Lyon’s Rayan Cherki. The Frenchman is a no.10 by trade, although he can also play on the wing.

Following Mason Mount’s departure for United, Cherki could well be seen as the England international’s replacement, but it is believed he could cost €50m (£43m).