Moises Caicedo sheds new light on decision to snub Liverpool transfer for Chelsea

Moises Caicedo has disclosed his reasons for turning down the alluring opportunity of joining a behemoth like Liverpool, favoring Chelsea instead. The transfer saga unfolded last summer as both heavyweight Premier League clubs wrestled for his signature upon his departure from Brighton.

Liverpool seemed to be edging forward in the chase after Brighton accepted their hefty £111million bid for the Ecuadorian maestro. But Chelsea, long-time admirers, had not thrown in the towel and eventually won over Brighton with an even more significant £115m proposal a sum poised to set a record for a British club transfer.

The talented defensive midfielder was candid about the challenge of dismissing Liverpool's interest: "It was difficult," he confessed to The Athletic . "So difficult. As you know, Liverpool is a big team. As is Chelsea.

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"But Chelsea was with me for a couple of months. I could not miss out on them because they were with me in tough moments when Brighton didn't want to let me go.

"It was a difficult decision but, for sure, 100% I knew I wanted to go to Chelsea."

Chelsea's coup not only secured Caicedo but was a double hit as they also signed Romeo Lavia, another Liverpool target. The Reds, however, addressed their midfield void with the acquisition of Japan's captain Wataru Endo from Stuttgart, a snip at £16.25 million.

Caicedo had a rocky start to the previous season, but his form picked up after Christmas, contributing significantly to Chelsea's sixth-place finish in the Premier League. He also shone brightly despite Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley in February.