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According to The People (17/11 Via Leeds Live), Leeds United are interested in signing Birmingham City stopper David Stockdale.

These reports are easy to believe as this isn’t the first time that United have shown an interest in the former Brighton goalkeeper, and the last time the Yorkshire club showed an interest in him fans were rather excited by the idea.

However, is signing Stockdale still a good idea two years on?

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The goalkeeper has undoubtedly declined quite a lot since leaving Brighton as he’s fallen down the pecking order at St Andrew’s to the point where he was sent out on loan to Southend United in League One.

He didn’t fare all that well in the division, conceding five goals in three appearances.

Leeds may need a goalkeeper in the near future as Kiko Casilla faces a lengthy ban if he is found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko, but is the 34-year-old the right man for the job?

We asked our team of writers to give their verdicts on Leeds potentially signing the goalie.

Lewis Blain

“Leeds can do no wrong with the signing of David Stockdale. It seems more than likely that Kiko Casilla is faced with a lengthy ban for racial abuse. The depth behind their number one is scarily short and ultimately hugely inexperienced with Illan Meslier and Kamil Miazek. Stockdale resolves both issues.

“He has played 234 times in the Championship, where he has also kept 72 clean sheets. As a two-time runner-up in the division, he knows exactly what is required to succeed which will aid Leeds’ ambition to return to the top-flight at long last.

“This could be potentially season-defining. Casilla has contributed so greatly to Marcelo Bielsa’s side possessing the best defence in the league, this ban could seriously scupper that and in turn damage their quest for the Premier League.

“Having a man that’s been through it all as backup and soon to be likely number one just makes the world of sense.”

Vijievan Jeevathayalan

“A move for David Stockdale sounds like a no-brainer. Leeds are facing the very real prospect of first-choice goalkeeper Kiko Casilla being out for a number of games, and asking a 19-year-old in Illan Meslier to step up, is risky business indeed.

“Marcelo Bielsa’s side desperately need an experienced option who can be an effective stop-gap until Casilla eventually makes his return, and Stockdale certainly fits the bill.

“The 34-year-old has been around the proverbial block and has even made 39 appearances at Premier League level in his long career.

“Signing him would reassure the Leeds back-line that they have a reliable shot-stopper behind them, and allow the rest of the team to focus on the main objective at hand: promotion. It’s a move that makes perfect sense.”

Jonathan Radcliffe

“There are arguments both for and against Stockdale moving to Leeds. On the good side, he is an accomplished shot-stopper with plenty of experience.

“He has a career average save percentage of 71.3%, which is not to be sniffed at, whilst he also has a number of Premier League appearances to his name.

“However, Marcelo Bielsa places a lot of emphasis on building from the back, as you can see with Kiko Casilla’s 76.6% pass accuracy. Stockdale, meanwhile, has never managed above 63.5% in a campaign and, considering his age – he is 34 – it is likely far too late to teach this old dog new tricks.

“All in all, Bielsa and co should swerve this deal. There are better all-round options out there that would jump at the chance to move to Elland Road.”

Charles Jones

“I think that Leeds shouldn’t even be thinking about signing David Stockdale.

“The Blues goalkeeper has declined at an unbelievable rate over the past few seasons to the point where he can’t even get in the Birmingham team over Lee Camp.

“His performances declined to the point where he actually had to apologise to Birmingham City supporters after conceding five goals against Brentford, and if you dig out the highlights from that game you’ll see that an apology simply wasn’t good enough. Stockdale could cost Leeds points on his own, so they should steer well clear of signing the 34-year-old stopper.”

Manchester City and Arsenal face-off in the biggest Premier League game of the season so far this weekend, in a result that could be pivotal come the end of the campaign.

Last season, Pep Guardiola just got the better of his former assistant, Mikel Arteta, clinching title glory with his City side on the final day. They were pushed all the way by the Gunners, who just ran out of steam a little towards the end, proving costly up against their relentless rivals. It does look as though they will again be fighting it out for the trophy this time around, although Liverpool could again provide stiff competition, too.

On Sunday 22nd September, Arsenal make the trip to the Etihad, looking to at least seal a repeat of last season’s goalless draw there, which felt like an excellent result at the time, even if it didn’t prove to be enough in the grand scheme of things. Arteta will be desperate to go one better this time around, though, knowing how huge a victory there would feel.

It promises to be a thrilling afternoon in Manchester, as the two Premier League title favourites lock horns in the latest battle between Guardiola and Arteta.

Man City v Arsenal kick-off time & UK TV info

Manchester City v Arsenal is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm BST on Sunday 22nd September.

Kick-off at the Etihad is at 4.30pm, with the match following on from Brighton v Nottingham Forest (2pm) earlier in the afternoon, understandably acting as the showcase game of the day.

Man City v Arsenal team news

The most notable absentee from either side could be Martin Odegaard, with the 25-year-old suffering an ankle injury on international duty with Norway and missing the game against Tottenham. Summer signing Mikel Merino is also unavailable, as is Takehiro Tomiyasu.

For City, Nathan Ake is also out after tearing his hamstring for the Netherlands earlier in the month, while Oscar Bobb is a long-term absentee after suffering a serious leg injury last month. Rodri and Phil Foden are available again after being out in the opening weeks.

Man City & Arsenal's head-to-head form

City have, perhaps unsurprisingly, been the more dominant of the two sides in recent meetings, although that wasn’t the case last season. Arsenal’s aforementioned 0-0 draw at the Etihad was a hard-fought result, and they won 1-0 at the Emirates last October, thanks to a late winner from Gabriel Martinelli.

Barring the Gunners’ Community Shield triumph in 2023, City were completely dominant in the fixture before that, winning eight matches in a row, in all competitions. That included a 5-0 win at the Etihad back in 2021.

Arsenal haven’t won away to City since January 2015, when a Santi Cazorla penalty was added to by an Olivier Giroud strike. A repeat of that scoreline for the north Londoners could feel like a significant moment in the Premier League title race, even though it is still only early days.

Daniel Farke may be ready to unleash two returning Leeds United players for their game against Burnley this weekend, according to reports. The Yorkshire side have made a strong start to the new Championship season, as they are unbeaten in their opening four games, picking up a total of eight points, but they will know their upcoming game against the Clarets is a real test.

Leeds struck gold with "destroyer" who's worth more than Ramazani & Solomon

Leeds United continue to reap the rewards of buying this gem.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 9, 2024 Leeds United news and updates

Leeds were very busy in the summer transfer window, as the club lost several big name players and had to work right up until the deadline to find suitable replacements. The Whites added eight players to their squad, but even though the window doesn’t open for another four months, they already have their eye on more new arrivals for 2025.

It has been claimed that Leeds have an interest in AFC Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing, with them plotting a move in the January transfer window. Billing has been a regular for the Cherries, but in recent times has fallen down the pecking order at the club.

The Denmark international has interest from Turkish clubs, and they can still make signings all the way through to the end of this week, as their transfer window doesn't shut until the 13th of September.

However, that hasn’t stopped Leeds from showing an interest, with them already making “serious offers” to sign the player, as Farke wants to add more proven quality to his team. Obviously, this potential deal will have to wait, as Leeds cannot sign any players who are not free agents until January, so the focus will be on the upcoming games, and they may have just received a boost ahead of their match against Burnley.

Farke can now unleash “unbelievable” player after injury update

According to Leeds Live, Leeds may welcome both striker Patrick Bamford and winger Daniel James back to the matchday squad for the game against Burnley. The report states that the experienced forward should be involved in some capacity after what has been a frustrating start to the season, as he missed the last game through a hamstring injury.

The 31-year-old, has been at Elland Road for several seasons now, but as the striker has grown older and injuries have taken their toll, his role at Leeds has changed from leading number nine to super sub, despite taking home over £3.5m-a-year in wages.

Bamford started 15 of the 33 games he played in the Championship last term, and that has continued into this season, as he’s featured in just two of the club’s opening four games of the campaign, with both being appearances from the bench. He played the final 11 minutes against Portsmouth on the opening weekend and the same against West Brom the following week.

Apps

190

Goals

60

Assists

22

Stats from Transfermarkt

Bamford, who was described as “unbelievable” by Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker after his wonder goal against Peterborough in the FA Cup, still has an important role to play however, and his experience will play a big part for Farke coming off the bench in a possible promotion six-pointer against the Clarets this weekend.

It’s been a relatively quiet transfer window for Liverpool this summer, with the club’s dealings only ramping up over the last seven days.

Arne Slot’s side completed a deal to sign Georgian international goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, with the 23-year-old spending the remainder of the campaign at Valencia – joining the Reds in the summer of 2025.

They also clinched a deal to sign Italian winger Federico Chiesa from Juventus over the last couple of days, spending £12.5m including add-ons – bolstering the attacking options at Slot’s disposal.

However, as of yet, the club are yet to sign the midfielder they’ve been desiring all summer after Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi rejected the chance to move to Anfield.

It’s since been quiet on the club’s hunt for a new deep-lying talent, but that could be about to change on deadline day, with one player linked with a move to Merseyside before the closure of the window in less than 12 hours time.

Liverpool interested in £75m midfield talent

According to TyC Sports, Liverpool have had an attempt to land Porto’s Argentinian midfielder Alan Varela after previous interest in the talent.

The 23-year-old, who’s been on the club’s radar for some time, has been subject to discussions over a potential move to Anfield, with the hierarchy holding a huge interest in the youngster.

However, Varela has a €90m (£75m) release clause in his current deal, with the Portuguese side unwilling to let him leave unless the Reds trigger the deal in his contract.

He would be a huge addition for Slot’s side, potentially completing his midfield trio and following in the footsteps of his compatriot who’s currently plying his trade on Merseyside.

Why Varela could be Mac Allister 2.0 for Liverpool

Argentinian star Alexis Mac Allister enjoyed a successful debut campaign at Liverpool last season, featuring in 33 Premier League matches, achieving a total of ten combined goal contributions.

He joined the club in a £35m deal from fellow English side Brighton – a bargain for a player of his quality – with the 25-year-old cementing his place as a regular starter at the heart of the Reds side.

Mac Allister could be joined by compatriot Varela before tonight’s deadline, with the duo potentially able to form an excellent partnership in the middle of midfield, handing the club a huge boost in their pursuit of a successful first season under Slot.

When comparing their respective stats from 2023/24 on FBref, the pair are very similar, with the Porto star matching or even bettering the Reds’ number 10 in various key areas.

The “monstrous” talent, as described by analyst Ben Mattinson, may have registered fewer goals and assists, but he did manage to achieve a higher pass completion rate and complete more progressive passes per 90 – showcasing his excellent ability at moving the ball into forward areas.

Games played

30

33

Goals + assists

5

10

Progressive passes

7.3

7.2

Pass accuracy

88%

87%

Take-on success

70%

53%

Interceptions made

0.9

1.2

Clearances

1.1

0.9

He also completed more take-ons than the current Liverpool ace, demonstrating how effective he would be at keeping the ball in Slot’s possession-based system.

Defensively, Varela has also impressed, completing more clearances, and providing that added defensive cover in front of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahim Konate that the club have been searching for.

Whilst £75m is a huge figure for an unproven Premier League player, he would provide serious quality to the midfield department, allowing the Argentinian to link up with his compatriot at Anfield.

With less than 12 hours left in the window, Slot’s side will have to move quickly to secure a deal for the youngster to avoid a repeat of a collapsed move for Zubimendi, with it a chance to potentially end the search for a No.6.

After Chiesa: Liverpool eye up last-gasp move for £17m Zubimendi alternative

Things are ramping up on Merseyside…

1 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 30, 2024

Manchester United looking to be closing in on a £43m deal to sign Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to Corriere del Ticino, via The Faithful MUFC.

Manchester United transfer news – could they sign Andre Onana?

Given David De Gea's unresolved contract issue, which doesn't seem to be going away any time soon, Man United are in need of a number one as things stand. And, as reports in Italy suggest, Onana could be that new shot-stopper.

The Inter Milan man would be Erik ten Hag's first signing this summer as the Red Devils look to take things up a level or two at Old Trafford.

After De Gea's season to forget in the last campaign, too, it comes as little surprise that United have their sights set on finding a new number one – a move which signals a sign of intent.

Indeed, the report states that Inter may well be willing to cash in on the stopper after the Red Devils lodged a bid of £43m.

A deal to sign Onana would, therefore, eat away at Ten Hag's budget who has reportedly been told that he has £120m to spend unless he moves players on this summer.

Would Andre Onana make Lisandro Martinez look better?

The best goalkeepers in the world can make even the most unreliable defenders look far better than they are, and vice-versa – see De Gea last season, for example.

Onana would reverse the roles at United by making the backline look even better than they already look after a solid season together last time out – conceding just 43 league goals and helping De Gea secure the Golden Glove.

The Inter shot-stopper would help show off a trait that Lisandro Martinez hasn't been able to express as much during his United career so far. And that's his ability on the ball.

De Gea's poor distribution often leaves United forced to scrap any thoughts of playing from the back and to play over the press, rather than through it.

Last season, the Spaniard attempted 11.8 passes per game, completing just 3.71 – a completion rate of 31.4%. By comparison, Onana attempted 11.3 per game, completed 4.38, with a completion rate of 38.9%, as per FBref.

For context of Onana's quality, Alisson Becker had a 41% completion rate last season, meaning that the United target isn't far off one of the best goalkeepers in the world in terms of passing ability.

Meanwhile, Martinez's stats show that, when given the chance, he can comfortably progress from the back. As per FBref, in his debut campaign at Old Trafford, he completed more passes per 90 than Declan Rice. Simply give him the chance and Martinez will play a key role in bypassing a press.

When at Ajax together in the 2019/20 season, Onana had an impressive 45.04% pass completion rate, completing over four passes per game. Martinez, with the goalkeeper supplying the passes, made 9.24 progressive passes per 90.

However, last season, with De Gea behind him, the Argentina international made just 3.53 per game in a frustrating drop-off.

Onana's quality is recognised by the best in the world, too, with Pep Guardiola full of praise for the shot-stopper prior to Manchester City's Champions League final victory over Inter.

The Manchester City boss said, via Manchester Evening News: "They [Inter] have a real good process, starting from Onana, an exceptional goalkeeper in the build-up – one of the best in the world right now."

With that said, it's clear that if United sign Onana, he would take them and particularly Martinez up another level.

Chelsea talks are ongoing to sign Brighton star Moises Caicedo this summer and the player is "ready to agree" personal terms, according to reliable journalist Nizaar Kinsella.

Who will join Chelsea this summer?

Mauricio Pochettino, after Chelsea's lacklustre and regrettable 2022/23 Premier League campaign, is aiming to transform the west Londoners back into a major force.

The Blues couldn't even muster a top-half finish last season and ended the campaign without any silverware, coming just two years after they were crowned champions of Europe.

Despite owner Todd Boehly and co spending north of £520 million on transfers since the summer of 2022, it appears Chelsea have work to do if they wish to reach the heights of Man City or Arsenal.

Pochettino's arrival also marks the beginning of a new era, though, and Chelsea are apparently working to back the Argentine this summer.

Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson, after drawn-out negotiations, is now reportedly set to become a Chelsea player with reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano even giving his famous "here we go".

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Caicedo of Brighton is another firm transfer target.

Chelsea are apparently favourites for the Ecuador international and reliable reporter Kinsella of The Evening Standard has shared a promising update.

Writing for the outlet, Kinsella claims that the Stamford Bridge side are "making good progress in negotiations" and Caicedo is "keen" to join Pochettino.

The 21-year-old is also "ready to agree personal terms", with the player side proving to be no issue, though club-to-club talks over a transfer fee are proving more complicated.

After already rejecting a £60 million bid from Chelsea, it is claimed that Brighton are holding out for a fee closer to £100 million for their prized asset.

Caicedo, though, has a verbal agreement with Roberto De Zerbi for his manager to stand aside and green-light an exit – if a suitable offer arrives that is.

What's been said about Moises Caicedo?

Averaging more tackles per 90 than any Brighton player last season, the South American star has proven to be a capable midfield enforcer and rock solid in the middle of the park (WhoScored).

Enrico Castro-Montes, a vying football historian of Ecuador, has also detailed just how highly-rated Caicedo is in his homeland. Indeed, the midfielder is apparently seen as a cross between N'Golo Kante and Paul Pogba.

"Caicedo covers the whole field. He is much more eye-catching," said Castro-Montes (Het Niuewsblad via Sport Witness).

"There will be a lot of pressure on Caicedo’s shoulders. His nickname in Ecuador is ‘La Joya’, the jewel. In his own country, he is really seen as the crown jewel of a new generation.

"That’s also how they describe him in Ecuador: a cross between Kanté and Pogba."

Arsenal have now turned their attention to Romeo Lavia after holding internal discussions about their transfer plans, according to reports…

Arsenal transfer news – Romeo Lavia

The Gunners are believed to be pushing to seal a deal West Ham United captain Declan Rice as their first priority but according to The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg, manager Mikel Arteta is keen to sign two midfielders, having also been linked to Brighton & Hove Albion gem Moises Caicedo.

It's now thought the north London outfit have shifted their focus onto other players due to the sizeable sum it would take to secure the Ecuador international, as per the aforementioned report. Lavia is one potential alternative, with talks being held about making a potential move to bring the relegated Southampton star to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

The Sun, meanwhile, claim the Belgian midfielder is valued at around £45m by the Saints and is viewed by Arteta as 'a better option' than Caicedo.

Elsewhere, Arsenal are also keen to sign Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz, with the German said to be "very close" to joining, whilst the north Londoners are said to be in pole position to land Moussa Diaby of Bayer Leverkusen too.

Should Arsenal sign Romeo Lavia over Moises Caicedo?

Lavia was perhaps one of Southampton's only shining lights in what was a dismal Premier League campaign, one which saw them relegated to the Championship for the first time in 11 years.

The former Manchester City youth product was second to only James Ward-Prowse when it came to the average match rating of the Saints' engine room options and similarly, he ranked second for tackles per game (2.1) too, as per WhoScored.

Such impressive form saw Independent journalist Benjy Nurick hail the teenage sensation as an "absolute monster" and it also led to him picking up his first cap for the Red Devils back in March 2023.

Lavia grew up idolising Spain powerhouse Sergio Busquets and that is quite apparent when watching him play, with the same reporter waxing lyrical about his qualities as a defensive midfielder, taking to Twitter to say: "Always offering himself as an option to the defence, great range of passing, and a devastating turn away from markers with a little drop of his shoulder."

At just £45m, the dynamic 5 foot 11 enforcer would represent a shrewd piece of business, especially with Brighton looking 122% more (£100m) for Caicedo.

Lavia is not only younger, fitting in with Arteta's developmental project, but he has also come through an all too familiar system at City, where the Spaniard was Pep Guardiola's assistant prior to taking the helm at the Emirates Stadium.

These factors could indeed make him a better option than Caicedo this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in raiding Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer and procuring centre-back Max Kilman, according to reports.

It's the beginning of a new chapter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with manager Ange Postecoglou departing treble-winning Celtic to take the reins and lead Spurs back to brighter days after a dismal campaign that culminated in an eighth-place finish and failure to qualify for European competition next season.

Tottenham started the campaign brightly under the stewardship of the distinguished Antonio Conte but trickled further into the murky abyss as the season went on, ending another year without silverware.

The defensive efforts were shoddy and a large part behind the woes, and that's why Kilman could prove to be a shrewd acquisition to return some stability and grit to the N17 backline.

90min certainly think it could be a possibility, stating that the 26-year-old "has long had admirers" at the club and "remains a target", with The Athletic's Tim Spiers revealing this year that his signature could cost around £20m-£30m.

Should Tottenham sign Max Kilman?

Kilman, who is eligible to play internationally for both England and Ukraine, played 37 matches this season as Wolves finished 13th in the Premier League after looking like relegation favourites before Julen Lopetegui's appointment before the mid-season pause for the 2022 World Cup.

Praised as "immense" and a "monster" by Talking Wolves presenter Tom Parker, he recorded an average match rating of 6.85 this season, according to Sofascore, and caught the eye by keeping 11 clean sheets, making 4.4 clearances per game and winning 67% of his aerial duels.

His prowess is further illustrated by metrics provided by FBref, who suggest the distinguished Manchester United titan Raphael Varane is his most similar player.

Indeed, with the £15k-per-week Wolves star ranking among the top 12% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons, the top 28% for progressive carries and the top 5% for blocks per 90, his skill set does indeed draw similarities to Varane.

The £350k-per-week United phenom ranks himself among the top 25% of positional peers for progressive carries and the top 28% for successful take-ons per 90, having also averaged 3.7 clearances per match in the Premier League this term while winning 72% of his aerial duels.

Kilman could harness his skills to provide an iron-clad grip on the Spurs defence, potentially forging a solid partnership with the aggressive Cristian Romero and living up to the tag of "generational talent" – as he was dubbed by reporter Nathan Judah.

Varane is a player who has seen it all, the 30-year-old notably winning the 2018 World Cup with France and four Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, also ending Manchester United's trophy drought this year with a triumph in the Carabao Cup.

If Kilman can indeed channel his own talents, he could match his confrere in Varane and play a central role in Spurs' desired resurgence, perhaps even providing the sweeping stability at the back to end a 15-year wait for silverware at the club.

A lack of potency and end product is a storyline that has become synonymous with Chelsea’s abysmal season.

The Blues netted just 38 times in as many games, a dismal reflection of the club’s underperforming frontline.

Kai Havertz was often tasked with leading and was the top scorer with a measly seven goals.

It has since been revealed by Fabrizio Romano that the German is open to leaving West London to try a new experience after Real Madrid registered an interest in him last week.

When Havertz finished a difficult debut season in England with the Champions League winning goal in the 2021 final, he was tipped to kick on at Stamford Bridge and display some ruthless consistency.

However, it has unravelled into a disappointing spiral, and he looks set to depart this summer.

One player who has been linked to being part of the Mauricio Pochettino revolution is Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, who has been far more clinical and effective across the year.

What’s the latest on Lautaro Martinez to Chelsea?

The Argentine’s transfer to the English capital could be discussed when the clubs hold talks over the Romelu Lukaku situation later this month, Romano revealed to GIVEMESPORT.

He said: “At the moment I'm not aware of any contact for Martinez, but let's see what's going to happen in the conversations between Inter Milan and Chelsea for Lukaku this month when they speak about that. But at the moment, with Martinez and Chelsea, there is still nothing concrete.”

Previous reports have suggested he may cost around £70m.

Why would Lautaro Martinez be a good signing for Chelsea?

The £186k-per-week forward has been in magnificent form for the Nerazzurri this year, having notched 39 goal contributions in 56 appearances in all competitions this term.

Quite frankly, these are numbers that Havertz can only dream of in a Chelsea shirt.

Whilst the debate rages on the former Bayer Leverkusen prodigy’s best position, it is quite clear to see that the chances cannot keep falling to him and each week that passes he seems to cut an even more dejected and uninvolved figure.

Earlier in the season, Frank Leboeuf described the playmaker as “shameful” and after three full seasons at Chelsea, he is yet to convince anyone that he can consistently perform.

Meanwhile, in northern Italy, Martinez is arguably Inter’s most important player – a devastating outlet that can score and link the play.

In Europe’s top five leagues among his positional, he ranks in the highest 13% for shot-creating actions per 90, as well as the best 9% for non-penalty goals per 90, according to FBref.

The 48-cap international star won the World Cup in Qatar and Lionel Messi has even hailed his compatriot, saying: "He's spectacular. He has impressive qualities. You could tell he was going to be a great player and he is showing that.

"He's very strong, really good one on one, scores a lot of goals and in the area he fights with anyone, holds it up, he can turn, scrap to win it all on his own. He's very complete."

If Chelsea could land this outlandish coup, they will instantly be a more menacing outfit next year.

Manchester United are reportedly ready to revive their interest in Brighton and Hove Albion star, Moises Caicedo, with the Red Devils having previously snubbed the chance to sign the midfield maestro.

What's the latest on Caicedo to Man United?

According to journalist Sam Dean, the Old Trafford outfit are said to be among a host of Premier League clubs who are keen on signing the 21-year-old this summer, albeit with any deal set to cost beyond £70m.

Writing on Twitter, the respected source stated: "Brighton will demand significantly more than £70m for Moises Caicedo this summer. Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have all shown interest — and Liverpool could yet become involved, depending on the eventual cost."

In his attached piece for The Telegraph, Dean reveals that the Seagulls are 'willing' to let the Ecuadorian starlet leave the Amex ahead of next season, despite the youngster only signing a new long-term deal earlier this year.

Should Man United sign Caicedo?

It would certainly be a long time coming if United were to sign the 5 foot 10 sensation this summer, with the club having pulled out of a move to sign the then-teenager from Independiente de Valle back in 2021 after the deal became too 'messy' – as per Manchester Evening News – prior to the exciting prospect joining Brighton for just £4.5m.

That decision not to pursue a deal for Caicedo now appears a notable error as far as the Red Devils are concerned, with the midfield "jewel" – as hailed by historian Enrico Castro-Montes – having blossomed into a leading presence on the south coast of late.

As manager Roberto De Zerbi noted, the one-time Beerschot loanee could "become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and in Europe" such is his outstanding talent, with the dynamic gem looking like a player who has "no limit".

Not only would Caicedo be a player that Erik ten Hag could build his side around over the next decade or so, due to his relative youth, yet the 30-cap gem could also prove to be the Dutchman's answer to Declan Rice, with the pair said to share a number of statistical and stylistic similarities, as per FBref.

The West Ham United skipper has been mooted as a possible target for Ten Hag this summer, although a reported valuation of around £100m is likely to prove something of a stumbling block, while rivals Arsenal are also believed to be "leading the race" for his signature at present, as per Fabrizio Romano.

As such, finding an alternative to the 24-year-old in the form of Caicedo could represent a real coup, with the pair both alike due to their creative, front-foot quality from the centre of the park, showcased by the fact that the Englishman racked up 240 progressive passes in 2022/23 in the league, while the Seagulls ace recorded 219 for that same metric.

Equally, the dominant duo have also proven themselves to be particularly effective at winning back possession for their respective clubs, with Caicedo ranking in the top 11% among his European peers for interceptions, while Rice ranks in the top 5% in that regard.

That similarity is also illustrated by the fact that while the latter man averaged 3.8 tackles and interceptions per game combined in the top flight this season, his younger counterpart was only just ahead after averaging 4.2 per game for those same metrics under De Zerbi.

That would suggest that even if Rice – who has been lauded as the "best central midfielder in the country" by ex-United man Paul Parker – does prove unattainable this summer, turning to Caicedo could allow Ten Hag to find his own version of the West Ham machine.