By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

22nd Jun, 2023 | 6:27am

Pete O'Rourke column: £30m+ Chelsea deal 90% done, Tottenham work on four signings, Aston Villa in striker hijack

Welcome to the latest edition of my biweekly column – bringing you exclusive transfer and contract news, as well as news from the Premier League, EFL, Scottish Premiership and beyond.

Follow Football Insider on Twitter to see the latest news as it breaks!

CHELSEA

Brighton are holding out for big money for top Blues target Moises Caicedo.

It could make more sense for Chelsea to offer a player in part exchange given their Financial Fair Play concerns.

I’m told Conor Gallagher has been the subject of long-standing interest from Brighton, and the Londoners could be willing to include him in any potential deal.

Brighton see Gallagher as a ready-made replacement for Alexis Mac Allister following his move to Liverpool.

Several other clubs, including Newcastle and Tottenham, are monitoring his situation. A swap for Caicedo won’t be an easy deal to do – but it could be key in Chelsea landing their man.

Sources say Brighton are keen to get £80-85million for the Ecuador international – although they will monitor Declan Rice’s final sale price with interest.

No midfield deals are advanced outside of Caicedo, with Chelsea waiting to get the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic off the books.

They’re in talks with several targets, including Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga – but nothing can advance until they clear the decks officially.

Meanwhile, it’s looking very unlikely that Levi Colwill will leave Chelsea this summer – despite the interest from the Seagulls following his loan on the south coast.

The Blues see him as a big part of their future, and he is set to be handed more first-team opportunities with Kalidou Koulibaly ready to leave for Saudi Arabia.

Chelsea are ready to make him their first-choice left-sided centre-back under Mauricio Pochettino – and all signs are now pointing to him staying at the club despite Brighton seeing a couple of bids rejected.

However, there is a big possibility of Christian Pulisic joining the Chelsea exodus this summer.

He’s on big wages and that makes him a prime candidate to leave – with the winger currently unhappy at Stamford Bridge after a limited impact in the 2022-23 campaign.

European and Saudi clubs are ready to hand him a route out of the club and I’m told Pulisic’s priority is to remain in Europe.

Chelsea are 90% done with their move to sign Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson, I’m told.

The deal is very advanced, with personal terms already agreed – meaning the Londoners are ready to meet his release clause of around £34million.

Pochettino has green-lit the transfer with the club seeing him as a potential superstar in the making after his scintillating end to the 2022-23 La Liga campaign.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE CHELSEA NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

ARSENAL

The Gunners are now strong favourites to seal a deal for Chelsea’s Kai Havertz, I’m told.

Bayern Munich are also interested but made their move too late – leaving Arsenal in pole position to land the forward.

Chelsea’s financial situation and Financial Fair Play concerns mean they have to listen to offers for a big asset like Havertz.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE ARSENAL NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS

TOTTENHAM

Spurs were also considering a move for Nicolas Jackson alongside Aston Villa and Bournemouth, but Chelsea have moved quickly to get their man.

Nevertheless, Ange Postecoglou is keen to add attacking depth and will be looking at more targets.

I’m told he wants to add more goals to his side with question marks over the fitness and output of Richarlison after a dismal first season for the Brazillian at the club.

Any additions are more likely to be a wide forward rather than an out-and-out striker, despite the uncertainty surrounding Harry Kane.

Plans are also being drawn up for signings away from the attack with pre-season now a matter of days away.

A left-sided centre-back is likely to be a top priority with Clement Lenglet’s loan coming to an end, and a goalkeeper will be targetted by Postecoglou with Hugo Lloris set to move on.

I’m told a signing in the midfield engine room is also wanted with the Australian looking to improve the spine of his new side.

READ MORE EXCLUSIVE TOTTENHAM NEWS AND PUNDIT VIEWS