Liverpool and Man Utd could have signed Moises Caicedo for just £4.5m if not for 'terrible' transfer call

Liverpool and Manchester United could have signed Moises Caicedo for just £4.5million had it not been for a “terrible” transfer decision.

According to Sky Sports Brighton will expect offers in excess of £70million for Caicedo, after the Ecuadorian’s exceptional season for the Seagulls.

Caicedo agreed fresh terms until 2027 in March, just months after Arsenal had a £70million bid rebuffed for the 21-year-old.

The midfielder has featured on the wish-lists of United, Chelsea and Liverpool, though the latter have also been keen on Caicedo’s teammate Alexis Mac Allister.

Caicedo’s suitors will have to pay a hefty price, which will be ever more frustrating for the likes of Liverpool and United, who have tracked the player since his time at Independiente del Valle.

Liverpool and Man Utd could have signed Caicedo for just £4.5million

Liverpool and United could have signed Caicedo for just £4.5million back in 2021.

At the time, both clubs felt the transfer was too complicated to complete as it involved a host of intermediaries and agents all demanding commissions.

It was reportedly unclear who truly represented Caicedo and who was just looking to make a small fortune off the deal. Indeed, the Manchester Evening News via Goal reported that United felt a deal was “too messy” and described it as a “clusterf*ck”.

In September, CBS journalist Ben Jacobs tweeted: “Liverpool's interest in Moises Caicedo is long-standing dating back to his time at Independiente del Valle.

“The challenge back then was a complicated representation situation with a number of agencies (including Kancha and PSM) claiming to act on his behalf.

“Although the fee Brighton eventually paid was low (£4.5million) the agent fees were high. That put off Liverpool and Manchester United, too.”

Both clubs’ decision to walk away from a deal has since been described by Goal as a “terrible” oversight.