Transfer News: Agent fees put off Manchester United and Liverpool in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo

Manchester United have been interested in Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo for some time now. And now a Twitter thread by journalist Ben Jacobs (h/t Liverpool Echo), details how the Red Devils came close to signing the 20-year-old.

According to the thread, United along with arch-rivals Liverpool were interested in the midfielder since his time at Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle. Both the clubs were long-standing admirers but were put off by the agent fees involved in the deal to bring the player to England.

However, in 2021 Brighton ultimately paid only £4.5 million to bring the 20-year-old to the Premier League. United were interested in landing the player in the summer, but nothing came of such rumours.

Although the fee Brighton eventually paid was low (£4.5million) the agent fees were high. That put off Liverpool and Manchester United, too. Told Caicedo is now very relaxed about his future and will reassess after the World Cup.

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) September 25, 2022

Jacob further adds that the midfielder’s current contract will expire in 2025 and the Seagulls would love for him to sign a new deal. However, he also mentions that despite all this, offers are expected in January for the 20-year-old.

A host of Premier League clubs are interested in the young talent. United will have to fight off competition from the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea if they are to bring the young and talented midfielder to Old Trafford.

But if this was not enough, he will neither come cheap too as the Seagulls have placed a minimum £50 million price tag for the midfielder. It remains to be seen if such a price would fend off interest from possible suitors.

Caicedo has admitted "nobody would turn down an offer from Chelsea or any other club like that. It’d be a dream to be in the best teams in the world”. And last year he told The Athletic, "My dream is to play for Manchester United. Antonio Valencia is an example to follow."

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) September 25, 2022

United bought in two midfielders this summer in Christian Eriksen and Casemiro. The former has been phenomenal for the Red Devils this season. Whether he can continue such form for the remainder of the long season, remains to be seen.

Just 20, Caicedo has all the qualities that could make him a regular at United. If the Manchester side is serious in their interest, they will have to play their cards fast and right before a rival swoops in for his signature.

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Eriksen and Casemiro are not getting any younger and the departure of Paul Pogba was, in all honesty, a blow for the Red Devils. It’s best if we start future-proofing our midfield already.