Brighton star breaks silence on transfer rumours as Liverpool position themselves for January deal

Brighton and Ecuador star Moises Caicedo has made an admission about his future amid Premier League teams, including Liverpool and Manchester United, hoping to sign him.

Brighton captured the central midfielder from South American outfit Independiente in January last year. According to transfermarkt, he only cost £4.5million.

Caicedo began to impress towards the end of last season and has become a first-team regular this term, following Yves Bissouma’s £25m switch to Tottenham.

He has appeared in all six of Brighton’s Premier League matches so far, and opened his account for the campaign with a goal in the recent 5-2 victory over Leicester City.

Caicedo is still only 20 years old but is proving himself to be a reliable performer in the Prem. And he has plenty of time to get even better, which is why top clubs are monitoring his development.

Manchester United and Arsenal have previously looked into deals for Caicedo. But it is now Liverpool who are getting ready to land him in January.

As per Ecuador-based source Tera Deportes, the Reds made a late move for him in the summer window.

However, their approach was rebuffed by Brighton, who view Caicedo as an integral player for the next few months.

Surprisingly, though, the report claims Brighton may be open to letting him go in January. They believe they can get an optimum price for him if he impresses with Ecuador at the World Cup.

And in a major boost for Liverpool, they reportedly have first refusal for a winter deal. This puts them ahead of Man Utd, Arsenal and other clubs in the race to sign Caicedo.

Moises Caicedo talks Brighton future

Amid all the swirling transfer talk, the starlet has been asked about where his future lies. He said (via Goal): “I’m not thinking about any other club than Brighton. This is the club where I am now and I will give everything for this club and to keep doing well here.”

This is the perfect response from Caicedo. Admitting he wants a move away from the Amex would displease fans, as well as the Brighton board.

Rather than trying to push through an exit, his best bet is to continue to develop with Brighton before leaving in the next few years. He could follow a similar career path to Bissouma, who will feature in the Champions League this season with Spurs.

It could be argued Caicedo isn’t ready for a move to Liverpool, Man Utd or Arsenal. He isn’t the finished product just yet, so another couple of seasons at Brighton will do him good.

Goal reveal he followed numerous Liverpool players on Instagram on deadline day, which only added to the transfer links. But despite Liverpool making an approach, nothing came of it.

Brighton boss Graham Potter is asked about Caicedo’s future regularly, particularly if he has a good game.

Potter fends off Liverpool

When quizzed about Brighton selling him for £42m on August 30, the manager said: “I think you’d probably get his boots for that from the chairman maybe, knowing the chairman. It’s not for me to talk about. It is what it is.”

Potter was then asked if Liverpool would have to bid £100m to get Caicedo’s signature. He replied: “Yeah, well, they can try.”

Clearly, Jurgen Klopp’s team will have to pay big money to prize the midfielder away from Brighton. This is partly down to the fact his Brighton deal runs until June 2025, putting the Seagulls in a strong negotiating position.

While Moises Caicedo would be a great signing for Liverpool, they should probably pursue Jude Bellingham instead.

He is available for a similar price and arguably has higher potential. Plus, he is doing it on a bigger stage as he currently represents Borussia Dortmund.

Either way, it looks set to be an exciting 2023 for Liverpool fans as the club prepares to complete a big midfield signing.

Meanwhile, Man Utd and Liverpool are part of a three-club race to sign a Barcelona player, Tuesday’s Transfer Gossip claims.