Liverpool have agreed a British record transfer fee of £111 million with Brighton for midfielder Moises Caicedo.
However, Chelsea are now trying to secure a deal for the Ecuador international despite Brighton rejecting a succession of bids from the club earlier in the summer.
It is thought the 21-year-old’s preference would be to move to Stamford Bridge.
It remains to be seen whether the Blues will now match Liverpool’s bid.
Brighton had set a fee in excess of £100 million for Caicedo and said they felt no-one would reach it. Chelsea are believed to have bid £80 million previously.
Liverpool lost midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the Saudi Pro League last month but signed Caicedo’s Brighton team-mate Alexis Mac Allister in June for £35 million.
Former Reds captain Henderson, 33, joined Al-Ettifaq in a deal worth £12 million plus add-ons, while 29-year-old Brazilian Fabinho switched to Al-Ittihad for £40 million.
