Roberto De Zerbi was passionate, as ever, when asked about Moises Caicedo (Picture: Getty Images)

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi says ‘big clubs by the players, but they can’t buy our soul and spirit’ as Moises Caicedo nears a move away from the club.

The Seagulls accepted a huge bid of £110m for the Ecuadorian midfielder from Liverpool, although the Reds could still miss out on their target.

Chelsea had a £100m bid rejected, but Caicedo is reportedly only interested in a move to Stamford Bridge so a deal could still be done if the Blues come back with another offer.

Whether he goes to Anfield or Stamford Bridge, De Zerbi has already accepted that Caicedo is leaving, but he has already moved on.

The Italian was passionate as ever in a press conference on Friday, saying that players may leave, but the soul and spirit of the club will remain.
‘I’ve already forgotten Moises. I’m really proud of the players we have in the squad,’ De Zerbi told reporters.

‘We have to complete the squad. We want to improve the squad because we lost [Alexis] Mac Allister, [Levi] Colwill, maybe we lose Caicedo, but we have to be ready.

‘When players leave it’s because they played well, but the credit goes to the players, the club and the coaches. The big clubs can buy the players, but they can’t buy our soul and spirit. That’s not on the market when they leave.’

Despite the high profile departures this sum...