Manchester United are expected to be among the clubs battling to sign Jude Bellingham this summer, with The Mirror reporting he is the club’s top target.
That’s all well and good, but managing to land him is going to be difficult in the face of strong competition, even though United have a shot.
At a prospective cost of a rumoured £150 million, Bellingham will cost an entire transfer budget. He may be worth it – but there also solid arguments to make alternative, cheaper moves instead.
Amid the risk Bellingham chooses to go elsewhere, United have to consider different options anyway. One of these is Moises Caicedo.
Moises Caicedo could be United’s Bellingham alternative
Moises Caicedo has been linked with a move to Manchester United two years ago. The club’s decision not to sign him is a big regret.
Unlike the Bellingham deal when the midfielder chose to go elsewhere, this was a case of United backing out of a move, and Caicedo signed for Brighton for just £4.5 million instead.
The Sun reports Brighton will demand £70 million for Caicedo next summer, with the Red Devils still keen. This is a galling figure for United to have to pay, considering how cheap he could have been signed for.
But United have to forget this, and focus on what Caicedo has now become. He is worth the money, and instead of being considered an expensive deal, in comparison to Bellingham – he’s cheap.
At £70 million, Moises Caicedo could be less than half the price of Jude Bellingham. He could turn out to be just as valuable.
Caicedo, 21, impressed for Ecuador at the World Cup, scoring in their final group game against Senegal despite their defeat.
He has enjoyed a very impressive year in the Premier League, contributing to two wins over Manchester United, in which he scored, also beating Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.
He is a midfielder with a good all round skillset, who could be a very adept fall-back plan if a deal for Bellingham does not materialise.
It could even be a shrewder move, allowing United to also spend money on a striker – and other positions of need.
United’s answer to Bellingham
Bellingham signing for a rival is a very real risk – but not reason to be despondent. Signing Moises Caicedo for half the amount would be a very admirable response.
Caicedo has already proven his quality in the Premier League, and he likewise could slot in alongside Casemiro and form a formidable partnership.
He was picked out by Spain midfielder Pedri earlier this week, quoted by The Argus: “The one I’ve seen who has most surprised me was the one from Ecuador, Moises Caicedo.
“He’s very good, he’s top, I like him a lot.”
If United end up with either Bellingham or Caicedo, the club will be in a better place.
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