Moises Caicedo is already a success for Manchester United recruitment department

There are probably a few regrets at Old Trafford now at the decision to shelve plans to sign Moises Caicedo for £4.5million just two-and-a-half years ago, especially if they push ahead with plans to try and recruit the midfielder for £80million during this transfer window.

Caicedo's emergence as a player of real quality at Brighton might have surprised some people, but none of them will be working in the recruitment department at United. When Caicedo moved to the Seagulls in January 2021 for €6million it was a move that only came about because United had walked away from a deal.

The then 19-year-old moved to the Premier League from Ecuador's Independiente del Valle, but United eventually baulked at the complexity of a deal for a player who was full of promise but wasn't ready for first-team football. Caicedo might now look like one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, but he came with no guarantees in the early weeks of 2021.

He had never played outside of his homeland and there had been just 31 appearances and six goals in Ecuador. Despite his status as a talented youngster, the transfer was difficult to do. United became frustrated at the number of intermediaries involved and at the time sources told the MEN the deal was "too messy" and a "clusterf*ck".

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Brighton eventually pounced instead and it's clear that they will make a substantial profit when he is sold. Caicedo tried to force through a move to Arsenal in January and is now the subject of interest from Chelsea and United. You can see why there's an £80million price tag on his head.

Looking back, United will wish they had proceeded with a 'messy' deal for the 19-year-old, but