Manchester United are reportedly interested in acquiring Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion during the summer transfer window, and they might be willing to include Scott McTominay as part of the deal. The Red Devils had previously considered signing Caicedo in 2021 but decided against it. Brighton managed to secure the Ecuadorian midfielder for a bargain price of £4.3 million from Independiente del Valle. Since then, Caicedo has developed into a highly sought-after player in the Premier League.
Arsenal made unsuccessful attempts to sign Caicedo in January, leading to the player expressing his desire to leave Brighton, which caused some friction between him and the club. However, the situation was resolved, and Caicedo renewed his contract with Brighton until 2027. He played a crucial role in their successful campaign for Europa League qualification.
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has acknowledged that Caicedo is likely to leave the club this summer, with Arsenal previously being the front-runners. However, Arsenal’s pursuit of Caicedo seems to have diminished as they focus on securing the club-record signing of Declan Rice from West Ham United. This shift in Arsenal’s priorities could potentially give Manchester United the opportunity to enter the race for Caicedo’s signature, as they aim to strengthen their midfield following the recent acquisition of Mason Mount from Chelsea for £55 million.
Nevertheless, reports suggest that Brighton is demanding a significant transfer fee of at least £100 million for Caicedo, which both Chelsea and Manchester United are hesitant to meet. However, Manchester United could attempt to negotiate a lower price by including Scott McTominay in the deal. McTominay had a limited role under Erik ten Hag last season, making just 10 Premier League starts as he fell down the pecking order behind Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
It is widely believed that McTominay will leave Manchester United this summer, and Brighton has shown interest in signing him as they look to replace the departing Alexis Mac Allister and the potentially outgoing Caicedo. However, other clubs like Everton, West Ham, and Newcastle United are also considering making a move for the Scottish international, who recently expressed his contentment at Old Trafford despite his lack of playing time.
McTominay has been with Manchester United since joining their academy in 2002, gradually progressing to become a first-team regular. He has made 209 appearances for the club, scoring 19 goals and providing five assists. On the other hand, Caicedo has contributed two goals and three assists in 53 appearances for Brighton, with one goal coming from 37 Premier League matches last season, primarily playing in a defensive midfield position.
As the summer transfer window progresses, it remains to be seen whether Manchester United will pursue Caicedo and if they are willing to part ways with McTominay as part of the potential deal. The competition for Caicedo’s signature is likely to be fierce, with Chelsea also in the mix, while Brighton holds out for a substantial transfer fee.