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Liverpool are preparing a £42.3 million (€50 million) offer for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to Studio Football (via Paisley Gates).
The Reds are in need of a new midfielder. They have been heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham next summer. However, they have recently been linked with a move for a new midfielder this summer following injuries to Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. One of the midfielders wanted by Liverpool is Caicedo from Brighton.
The Reds have recently signed young players with experience of playing at the top level - Fabio Carvalho and Darwin Nunez. Caicedo could be another such signing, as the Ecuador international is just 20 but already has Premier League experience.
Caicedo made just eight appearances in the Premier League last season but featured against Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and both Manchester clubs. He scored against United.
He put up strong defensive performances in his eight Premier League games, registering a tackle success rate of 63%, making 56 recoveries and winning 43 duels. This season he has played the full 90 minutes in both of Brighton's games, including the 2-1 win over the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
Caicedo is a defensive midfielder who can also play in central midfield. The Ecuadorian could be seen as a long-term successor to Fabinho in defensive midfield.
Paying around £42 million for the Brighton midfielder could be a risky move, but the Reds usually pay big money for players they desperately need. Some such examples are Nunez and Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool face competition for Moises Caicedo
Liverpool are not the only club interested in Caicedo. Their arch-rivals Manchester United have also been linked with the Brighton midfielder.
According to the aforementioned source, Caicedo is not keen on a move to Old Trafford, though. That means Liverpool are in pole position to sign the Ecuadorian this summer.
The Reds face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Monday (August 22). Both teams are winless in the league this season.
The Merseysiders have drawn their opening two games of the season, while Manchester United have lost both of theirs to languish at the bottom of the standings.
