Roberto De Zerbi has dismissed suggestions he made a verbal pact with Moises Caicedo over a summer transfer.

The Albion boss said it would be “great news” if his midfielder stayed with the club this summer.

Caicedo is back in training with the Seagulls after his club rejected a £70 million bid from Chelsea.

He will not be involved in the Summer Series fixture between the two clubs having only returned to training this week.

De Zerbi has been told he will still have Caicedo in his squad as things stand.

The head coach said: “I spoke with (chairman) Tony Bloom and he told me if the conditions don’t change, Moises stays with us.

“For me it should be great news because it is difficult to find another player like Moises.

“If Moises leaves, we have to find another player of the same level because we deserve to play next season with the same level of midfielder and deserve to play in the Europa League and we have to compete and we want to compete at our best.”

De Zerbi said he has spoken to Caicedo at training and added: “He has to know he is playing for Brighton and he has to give his best to Brighton.

“I think he is still a good guy and I have no doubt about Moises’ attitude, about Moises’ behaviour.”

Albion turned down an offer from Arsenal for Caicedo late in the January window.

De Zerbi was asked about suggestions he made a pact with the player at that point that he could leave in the summer if the right offer came in.

The Albion boss told reporters: “No, it is not true because I am a coach and not an owner, not a sporting director.

“I am only the coach and, believe me, it is difficult to be a coach.

“In my work I am used to speaking with my players every day for every question, every part of life - not only football.

“But I didn’t give my word for anything. We didn’t speak about the next transfer market window and for me he is a player like the others.

“Okay, we are Brighton and I can understand we have to sell any player at the end of the season, like Mac Allister.

“But at the moment I have not received news about Caicedo can leave tomorrow or the next week.

“I start the next season with Caicedo in my head in the first XI for sure.”