Reported Everton and West Ham target Moises Caicedo is not closing in on a £5m move to Manchester United as first rumoured, according to Ecuadorian news outlet Extra.
The 19-year-old deep-lying midfielder has been linked with either a move to the MLS or to ‘a strong European club’, but the outlet dismissed claims that a move to Old Trafford was a done deal.
The Independiente del Valle prospect has attracted widespread attention for his ability to progress play and even has an eye for goal.
Speaking to Sky Sports, South American football expert Tim Vickery did not hold back on his praise for Caicedo, claiming he ‘offers more’ than Chelsea’s midfield stalwart N’Golo Kante.
The journalist gushed: “A year ago, he was saying Kante was his role model. He’s already more than that, he already offers more in the final third (than Kante). Strong, quick, intelligent, cool, he really does look like the genuine article.”
Indeed, this season alone, Caicedo has exceeded Kante’s goal tally from his last 81 domestic Chelsea appearances despite operating in a similarly defensively-focused capacity.
West Ham were linked with discussions for Caicedo in Duncan Castles’ Transfer Window Podcast, whilst Everton join Manchester United in showing significant interest.
Read West Ham Verdict
Whilst Caicedo’s fledgling age and lack of experience outside his native Ecuador may present difficulties in securing a work permit, £5m for a promising and hard-working midfield operator seems like a bargain in today’s market.
The Hammers will need to work diligently to fend off competition for his signature, whilst the good form of the Declan Rice-Tomas Soucek partnership presents an obstacle to regular game-time were Caicedo to join West Ham this month.
However, if Chelsea’s long-term interest in Rice becomes a completed transfer, Caicedo could be a natural replacement for the England international at the London Stadium.
