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Man Utd have six candidates for Moises Caicedo swap deal with option explored
Manchester United are now looking to sign Moises Caicedo, having struggled to seal a transfer for Chelsea star Mason Mount.
Man Utd's Old Trafford in focus
Manchester United are reportedly open to using players in a swap deal for Brighton star Moises Caicedo. And with Erik ten Hag ready to trim his squad this summer, six players could potentially be included in the operation. The Red Devils have turned to the Ecuador international having struggled to sign Mason Mount, with Chelsea digging in their heels during talks.
According to the Daily Mail+, United are keen on Caicedo.
While their bid for Mount remains on the table, they’re adamant they won’t overpay with Chelsea looking for a fee in the region of £65million to let the player go.
Caicedo is, of course, a different profile of player to Mount.
But United would be onto a winner with his arrival, with the Ecuador international shining for Brighton in recent years.
The report says the Red Devils could include players as part of a swap deal for Caicedo in order to strike a deal.
And with Ten Hag open to letting six players go this summer, it’s possible they’ll choose individuals surplus to requirements.
The obvious candidates would be Scott McTominay and Fred.
United do like McTominay but know the Scotland international wants regular game time, having struggled for starting opportunities last season.
The academy graduate always produces for his country, having blown hot and cold while playing under the likes of Ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho.
And McTominay would be a natural fit for Brighton, a team that would give him the minutes on the pitch he’s looking for.
Fred has been linked with Fulham amid uncertainty over his United future.
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Yet the Brazil international could also be offered to Brighton given they’d be a midfielder short.
Donny van de Beek is a curious case.
The Netherlands international was impressive at Ajax but, since joining United in 2020, has regressed alarmingly.
He’s already struggled for regular action at the club and the arrival of Caicedo would further cause him problems.
Van de Beek’s stock may have fallen but his performances during his time in Amsterdam suggests he’s still a player capable of shining on the big stage.
And playing for Brighton in the Europa League could appeal to the 26-year-old.
Other players United are willing to jettison include Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial and Anthony Elanga.
Maguire wants to stay with the Red Devils, however, and the club may struggle to convince him to leave as a result.
Martial may be tempted to move abroad, having previously been linked with the likes of Inter Milan and Juventus.
But Elanga would be another good fit for Brighton given he’s a player with big potential, even though his career has stalled over the past 12 months.
Caicedo, meanwhile, revealed back in April that his dram was to play for Real Madrid one day.
“I’m doing things very well now; so why not join Real Madrid one day and win the Champions League?” he said.
“It’s my biggest dream.
“It’s very nice to see how Madrid plays and the personality that players like Vinicius [Junior], [Eduardo] Camavinga, [Federico] Valverde have.
“I also really enjoy watching [Toni] Kroos. To play for Madrid you have to work very hard.”