Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Ecuadorian outfit Independiente del Valle over the possibility of signing Manchester United target Moises Caicedo.
According to a report from Ecuadorian outlet El Telegrafo, Premier League giants, Chelsea have established contact with Independiente del Valle over the potential transfer of midfield sensation Moises Caicedo, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United.
Caicedo came through the youth setup at CD Espoli and Colorados SC before joining the Independiente del Valle academy. Having risen through the ranks, the 19-year-old midfielder broke into the senior team in 2019 and featured three times, but has become a regular in the 2020 campaign.
Caicedo made 28 appearances for the Independiente del Valle first-team last year, scoring six goals and assisting two more. His exploits in Ecuador have not gone unnoticed, as Manchester United have taken a keen interest in the midfield sensation.
In fact, Ecuadorian journalist Marco Lopez Castillo claimed last month that the deal was but done, with only legal formalities left to be completed before a contract is signed. It was even reported that Manchester United would be paying £4.5 million to secure his services this month.
However, as per Independiente de Valle’s sporting director, Santiago Morales has informed El Telegrafo that it is far from the truth. Indeed, Morales has confirmed to the outlet that Manchester United have not had any contact with the club over the possible signing of Caicedo this month.
It is claimed that there have been approaches from scouts from the Red Devils, but nothing further. But, Morales, in an interview Radio La Red insisted that there had been talks with other great clubs across the world. And, it is believed that Chelsea are one of the teams that have made an approach, along with Dutch giants Ajax.
Chelsea have a packed midfield unit as things stand, with Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and Kai Havertz all competing for a starting berth, while young Billy Gilmour is also waiting in the wings. The Blues also have Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ross Barkley out on loan at Fulham and Aston Villa, respectively.
However, a chance to sign a rising talent like Caicedo, who has been likened to a combination of Chelsea star N’Golo Kante and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, is something that the Blues would not want to miss out on. It now remains to be seen if Chelsea will be able to beat Manchester United to the signing of the teenage midfielder.
