Manchester United pondered a summer move for Moises Caicedo and they could go back in for the Brighton midfielder.
That's according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who was speaking to GiveMeSport.
The lowdown
United made two midfield additions during the transfer window, spending £63.59million move on Casemiro and picking up Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
They had the opportunity to sign Caicedo while he was still playing for Independiente del Valle in his native Ecuador but, according to The Athletic, they stepped away from the deal.
Brighton would ultimately sign him in February 2021 for a fee of just £4.5million, and his Transfermarkt value has now risen to £22.5million.
The latest
Jones says that Caicedo isn't prominent in United's thoughts right now but expects them to keep tabs on his situation.
His club will try to commit him to a new contract, and ward off the interest from the Red Devils and co.
“Brighton will do all they can to tie him down. But we know that United were one of the clubs that weighed up the option of signing him in the window just gone.
“Because of Casemiro and Eriksen, I don’t think it’s something they’re having to think about right now. They’ll just wait and see what happens in the next few months.”
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The verdict
Nobody at United will be under any illusions as to the quality Caicedo possesses.
The midfielder opened the scoring when Brighton thrashed Ralf Rangnick's United 4-0 at the Amex Stadium in May.
Commentator Bill Leslie noted the irony that 'he claims to be a Manchester United fan' but had scored his first goal for Brighton against the 20-times champions.
Caicedo may not have been on the scoresheet again in August when the two sides met at Old Trafford, but he still made an impression.
The 20-year-old made three interceptions and four tackles, winning six of his eight ground duels and two of his three aerial battles (via SofaScore).
In addition, he completed 28 of his 34 passes, created three chances and drew three fouls.
The Athletic's Brighton correspondent Andy Naylor called him 'outstanding' in light of that display, Josh Bunting dubbed him 'sensational' and talent scout Jacek Kulig marvelled at yet another 'masterclass' against the same opposition.