According to Sky Sports News, Manchester United are set to make a formal approach to Brighton & Hove Albion for their highly talented midfielder, Moises Caicedo.
This move comes as United intensifies their interest in the 21-year-old, following their inability to reach a transfer agreement with Chelsea for Mason Mount.
Caicedo has been the subject of transfer speculation, with several prominent clubs, including Chelsea, being linked to him. However, Brighton are expected to demand a fee of at least £80 million.
The Red Devils have had three bids for Mount rejected by Chelsea. The latest bid was worth £50 million with an additional £5 million in add-ons. United believes this is a reasonable price for a player who only has one year left on his contract.
Chelsea are under pressure to sell some players in the current transfer window in order to meet Financial Fair Play regulations.
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Despite their weaker negotiating position, the Blues are playing hardball with United and trying to extract more money for Mount, even though he could leave for free next summer.
United’s priority is to sign a top-class striker, so it is difficult to imagine them spending £80 million on a midfielder.
However, the Red Devils are aware of Chelsea’s strong interest in Caicedo and by pursuing the Ecuadorian, they want to show that they are willing to walk away from Mount and instead sign Chelsea’s primary target.
This tactic could potentially force the Blues to sell Mount and utilize the funds to acquire Caicedo.
