Manchester United have reportedly made initial contact with Brighton over a summer move for Moises Caicedo.
The Red Devils have made three bids for Mason Mount already this summer but Chelsea have rejected all three so far. Their latest offer was £55m— £50m guaranteed plus £5m in add-ons—but it has been claimed that the Blues are holding out for as much as £65m, a figure which the Mancunian outfit are reluctant to pay.
This has led to them looking out for Mount’s alternatives, although negotiating on the structure of the potential £55m deal has not been ruled out. According to Sky Sports, Manchester United are set to make a formal approach for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Caicedo, 21, who was the subject of two bids from Arsenal in January before signing a new deal with Brighton, is thought to be Chelsea’s top midfield target this summer. The Ecuadorian international enjoyed a spectacular 2022-23 season, registering a goal and an assist in 37 Premier League games as the Seagulls qualified for European competition for the first time in their history.
Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi has publicly admitted that Caicedo will be allowed to leave the club for the right price this summer.
Moises Caicedo to Manchester United—Right man for the midfield?
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United squad is in need of reinforcements in key positions, with a centre-forward having been the top priority leading into the summer. In addition, Ten Hag also wants to bolster his midfield options which currently include Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny Van de Beek.
There are rumours that any of McTominay, Fred and Van de Beek could exit Old Trafford this summer, with McTominay and Fred attracting interest from West Ham and Fulham, respectively. Thus, they will need replacing adequately in the squad if Ten Hag wants to genuinely compete for major honours next season.
Man United have made tentative contact with Brighton earlier this week over a move for Moises Caicedo and they are prepared to step up negotiations if a deal for Chelsea’s Mason Mount continues to stall.
Caicedo is a No.6 by trade but can be moulded into a box-to-box midfielder with time and experience. Presently, the main position that one can see Caicedo coming into is next to Casemiro in the double pivot – as a No.8. That is the position Eriksen currently occupies after he joined United on a free transfer last summer. The Dane has impressed during his first season at Old Trafford, scoring twice and assisting 10 times across all competitions.
However, Caicedo would be an upgrade on Eriksen in certain qualities, particularly through his tackling, work ethic, tenacity and pressing, which is something the Danish international lacks in quality. The 21-year-old would potentially also replace Casemiro in the foreseeable future at United, while his ability to operate at right-back—as witnessed in the final few games of the last season—would also benefit the manager.
The Ecuadorian is only 21, and he would represent a fantastic long-term investment for United if they can beat Chelsea to his signature. However, with United looking at a war chest of around £120m plus player sales amid the takeover saga, funds are already looking rather thin. So, Ten Hag and the club have to make compromises in certain positions if they are to sign Caicedo, who is valued at around £80m by Brighton.