Manchester United are ready to make a formal move for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo this week, after making initial contact with the player.
The midfielder was a major element in the Seagulls’ sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season under Roberto De Zerbi, securing European football for the first time in the club’s history.
Caicedo has received interest from some of the division’s big clubs after appearing in all but one of Brighton’s league matches – and starting 34 of them.
According to Sky Sports News, Erik ten Hag’s side are one of the clubs interested in the Ecuadorian, with Manchester United set to make a formal bid for the midfielder in the coming days.
The Red Devils are said to have already made contact with the youngster about a possible move to Old Trafford, and it is expected that United will press forward in their pursuit of the 21-year-old.
With a deal to buy Chelsea’s Mason Mount having fallen through in recent weeks, Ten Hag’s men are thought to be pursuing alternative midfield targets to ensure their engine room sees an injection of talent before the window closes.
Manchester United exploring other options apart from Caicedo
United reportedly made a £50 million proposal for the England international, with the Blues refusing to decrease their asking price, which is thought to be £65 million.
Mount, who has a year left on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, is poised to be the subject of critical talks between Manchester United and Chelsea this week, as both parties aim to finalise the trade.
Caicedo is unlikely to be a less expensive alternative to Mount, given that Arsenal had a £70 million bid for the player rejected in the January transfer window.
The Blues’ interest in the 21-year-old might also push up his price, although it is understood that United will not have to compete with Arsenal for the midfielder, with Mikel Arteta prioritising Declan Rice this summer.
The North London club is alleged to have made a £105 million approach for West Ham United’s Europa Conference League-winning captain, while Manchester City is thought to have dropped out of the competition for the Englishman.
Caicedo joined Brighton from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle in January 2021, making one appearance before being loaned out to Beerschot for the first half of the 2021-22 season.
After returning from Belgium, the midfielder earned Graham Potter’s trust and became a regular in the Seagulls’ Premier League XIs with Pascal Gross and Alex Mac Allister.
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