Manchester United are interested in signing Brighton defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo – but a deal for Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot is now increasingly unlikely.
The club have not been able to meet Rabiot’s wage demands after a broad agreement had been reached with Juventus on a £15m fee.
With a little over two weeks to go in the transfer window, United are looking at other midfield options – and Caicedo is in their sights.
Brighton have no intention of selling but United are expected to make an offer. The 20-year-old Ecuador international impressed in Brighton’s 2-1 opening-weekend win at Old Trafford as Graham Potter’s side handed new United boss Erik ten Hag defeat in his first game in charge.
Real Madrid’s Casemiro is another name that has been discussed.
However, Brighton’s transfer policy is that they will only sell at the right time for the right price.
United will have internal discussions about whether to make their interest formal with an official bid.
Caicedo, whose deal at Brighton lasts until the summer of 2025, also scored his first Premier League goal against United in the stunning 4-0 win at the Amex Stadium in May.
After making his Seagulls debut in the League Cup win at Cardiff in August 2021, Caicedo spent the first half of last season on loan at Belgian side Beerschot before being recalled in January.
Caicedo is also likely to be a key player for Ecuador at the World Cup in Qatar, having won 23 caps and scored two goals for his country.