Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal Interested in Ecuadorian Midfielder Caicedo
Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal have reportedly expressed interest in signing the talented 21-year-old midfielder from Ecuador, following his impressive performances for Brighton & Hove Albion. The Seagulls, who have secured qualification for next season’s Europa League, are now facing the challenge of retaining their rising star.
Caicedo joined Brighton from Independiente del Valle in his homeland for a fee of £4.5 million in February 2021. However, he had not been given much playing time by the club until recently.
In the first half of the 2021/22 season, Caicedo was sent on loan to Beerschot in Belgium. However, due to multiple injuries to key players, Brighton recalled him in January. Since then, he has made his Premier League debut and appeared in 26 games. His impressive performance caught the attention of Arsenal, who made a £70 million bid for him. Unfortunately for Arsenal, Brighton rejected the offer.
Although it was rumored that Caicedo was considering a move and even drafted a letter expressing his desire to leave, he ultimately decided to renew his contract with Brighton. He has continued to make significant contributions to the team, playing in 53 more games in various competitions and scoring two goals. His versatility has also been an advantage, as he has been utilized as a right back on occasion.
Under the guidance of new manager Roberto De Zerbi, who replaced Graeme Potter in September, Caicedo has flourished and established himself as one of the Premier League’s top midfielders. Last season, he recorded an impressive 100 tackles, trailing only Fulham’s Joao Palinha. His 56 tackles were second only to West Ham’s Declan Rice.
In addition to Caicedo, De Zerbi has revealed that another midfielder, Alexis Mac Allister, may be allowed to leave the club. The Argentine national team player has already signed with Liverpool.
Now the question remains, which of the three clubs will Caicedo ultimately choose? Let’s assess the suitability of each option.
Arsenal
Arsenal was interested in Caicedo previously, hoping to strengthen their squad during the January transfer window. However, Brighton blocked the transfer, prioritizing their pursuit of European qualification. Caicedo himself revealed in April that he was close to joining Arsenal.
As a defensive midfielder, Caicedo is one of Arsenal’s primary targets, along with Declan Rice. The Gunners are reportedly willing to make significant financial investments this summer to secure these talents. However, Manchester City has also expressed interest in Rice, creating tough competition for Arsenal.
Arsenal is also looking to strengthen their attacking midfield, with Kai Havertz of Chelsea being a potential target. Currently, Arsenal seems more focused on securing Rice, despite the high price tag, but Arteta may reconsider Caicedo as a cost-saving alternative.
Chelsea
Chelsea also pursued Caicedo during the January transfer window, making a £55 million offer to Brighton. However, the bid was rejected, and the club has since experienced managerial changes, appointing Mauricio Pochettino. The new manager appears to be keen on overhauling the squad, with potential departures of Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
With the impending arrival of Havertz, Chelsea is eager to retain the highly regarded Mason Mount, who is also a target for Manchester United. Given the current situation, Chelsea may prioritize signing Caicedo to compensate for the potential midfield departures.
Manchester United
Manchester United is reportedly turning its attention to Caicedo after unsuccessful attempts to acquire Mount from Chelsea. Despite making three offers, the Red Devils were unable to secure Mount’s transfer. Comparing the two midfielders, Mount excels in the attacking aspect of the game, while Caicedo demonstrates defensive prowess and greater potential than Fred and Scott McTominay.
If Caicedo were to join Manchester United, it would provide Christian Eriksen with the opportunity to play a more prominent role in the attacking line-up. This would alleviate the burden on the Danish international and allow him to contribute to the team’s offensive strategies.
Considering the team’s current dynamic, it can be argued that Manchester United may not require a midfielder like Mount, as they already possess Bruno Fernandes, who excels in creative playmaking. Therefore, signing Caicedo, a player with defensive strength and versatile skills, would be a logical choice for the Red Devils.
As the transfer window progresses, it remains to be seen which club Caicedo will ultimately choose. Each team offers unique advantages and opportunities for the talented midfielder, and it will be intriguing to witness his decision-making process.
So far, Premier League giants Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are believed to be keen on signing the 21-year-old Ecuador international following his impressive performances for the Seagulls, who will be able to qualify for next season’s Europa League.
First, Caicedo moved from the club. Independiente del Valle in his homeland in February 2021 for a fee of 4.5 million pounds, but he has not been sent by Brighton that season.
Then, in the first half of the 2021/22 season, he was sent on loan to Beershot from Belgium before being recalled by the club in January. because many players were injured
Until April 2022, Caicedo made his debut in the Premier League, until another year and 26 more games, Arsenal approached him for £ 70 million, but he was rejected by Brighton.
Although the Latin star will draft a letter informing the agency that he wants to move But in the end, he was successfully convinced to renew the contract. And made another 53 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring two goals.
Like young midfielder Roberto De Zerbi, he moved to replace Graeme Potter in September. Encourage Caiseido to show stronger form AND he can be used as a right back in some games too.
Caicedo has now established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League last season, finishing 100 tackles behind only Fulham’s Joao Palinha. His 56 tackles are second only to West Ham star Declan Rice.
In addition to Caicedo, De Zerbi have announced through the media that they are ready to allow another midfielder Alexis Mac Allister to move to the club. And the star player of the Argentine national team has already entered the ink with Liverpool.
But for Caicedo, which of the three clubs will he eventually move to? We will try to look at the appropriateness.
– Arsenal
Caicedo was a target for Arsenal before because in January In the past, the Gunners had a chance to win the Premier League, so Mikel Arteta hoped to increase the potential for certainty to ascend to the finish line.
Brighton, however, have blocked the player’s transfer as they attempt to secure a first European berth in the club’s history, although Caicedo revealed in April that he was already very close to signing for the Gunners.
As a defensive midfielder, Caicedo is one of two Arsenal favorite targets, along with Rice, that the Capitals are willing to spend heavily on this summer. But it was inevitable that Manchester City, a fierce competitor, acted like the devil, making an offer for The Hammers to consider as well.
In addition, Arsenal also want to strengthen the army in the attacking midfield position. And he should not miss out on grabbing Kai Havertz, the star player of the Chelsea team, for a price of 65 million pounds.
From the latest situation, Arsenal are more focused on buying Reis, but they need to pay up to 100 million pounds, as the Hammers want, so maybe Arteta will change his mind and turn to Caicedo again because the Gunners team saved £20 million.
– Chelsea
Chelsea were another team that tried to sign Caicedo in January. By offering Brighton £55million he was considered, but was rejected in accordance with regulations, although Potter is hoping to grab a talented team to join him at Stamford Bridge
Even this summer, when the Blues had a new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, it seemed the London billionaire was mad at the player, looking for a complete overhaul, with Mateo Kovacic being sold. Manchester City have already go for £30 million, as well as N’Golo Kante, who turned to the Saudi Arabian league with Al Ittihad for free, while Ruben Law.Ftus-Cheek is close to joining AC Milan, while Denis Zakaria is out on loan from Juventus.
In addition, Havertz is sure to arrive at Arsenal soon, so they are desperately trying to keep Manchester United target Mason Mount.
Based on the situation, Chelsea will probably want Caicedo more than Arsenal, as they have lost Kovacic and Kante, while the Gunners still have Thomas Parte in Jersey and Jorginho if they are not escorted out of the Emirates Stadium .
– Manchester United
United are believed to be turning their attention to Caicedo if they ultimately fail to land Mount, having made three offers to Chelsea for £55m, but he was rejected.
Looking at the difference between the two midfielders, Mount is more skilled in attack than Caicedo, and could be brought in to lighten Casemiro’s burden, without any doubt from Bright. Tan has better potential than Fred and Scott McTominay.
Meanwhile, Caicedo’s move to Old Trafford will allow Christian Eriksen to play a greater role in attack rather than leaving the Denmark international serving as a low-lying midfield as you can see.
So maybe the Red Devils don’t even need a midfielder like Mount, as the buildup is already a burden on Bruno Fernandes, and Eriksen is suited to play in a higher position to help support goals for the team instead than holding the ball Signing Caicedo, who is smarter, more powerful, faster and more defensive than his counterpart Mcfred, would make more sense than signing the Blues star.
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