Moises Caicedo took his Premier League form into the Qatar World Cup with Spain star Pedri full of praise for Brighton’s reported Liverpool and Newcastle United target, speaking on the XBuyer YouTube channel.
Ecuador might have bowed out in the group stage but, after outclassing the host nation and giving the Netherlands an almighty fright, the South American nation could still hold their heads up high and take some pride in their efforts on the biggest of stages.
Angelo Preciado, Gonzalo Plata and Jhegson Mendez caught the eye, and Enner Valencia lived up to his ‘superman’ nickname; the veteran striker proving, with his three group-stage goals, that not all heroes wear capes.
Caicedo, meanwhile, only enhanced his growing reputation with some typically tigerish midfield performances, adding a Barcelona star to his ever-growing list of admirers.
Liverpool and Newcastle United target Moises Caicedo shone during the Qatar World Cup
“The one I’ve seen who has most surprised me was the one from Ecuador; Moises Caicedo,” Spain playmaker Pedri said when asked to name one player who caught his eye over in Qatar.
“He’s very good. He’s top. I like him a lot.”
So do Liverpool, it seems.
According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Jurgen Klopp’s Merseyside giants have identified Caicedo as an alternative to top target Jude Bellingham heading into 2023. Do not make the mistake of calling the Brighton battler an ‘affordable’ back-up option, however; The Sun beleive that it would take offers in the region of £70 million to convince Brighton and Hove Albion to cash in on a player they signed for a bargain £4 million nearly two years ago.
Newcastle United are reportedly keeping tabs on Caicedo too.
“He’s going to be a top player. He’s only 21,” Newcastle legend Alan Shearer told the BBC ahead of Ecuador’s 2-0 World Cup opening day victory over Qatar last month.
“He can do a little bit of everything. He’s athletic, he can tackle, he can pass, he can read the game (and) scores one or two goals.”
Brighton want Caicedo’s Ecuador team-mate
Caicedo scored his third international goal during Ecuador’s 2-1 defeat to Senegal last week. Brighton, meanwhile, are reportedly closing in on another Ecuadorian talent; Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes.
“If he’s not the most talented midfielder in the league, he’s up there,” says LAFC director John Thorrington. “I think he has absolutely everything he needs to succeed.
“I’m not surprised to receive and hear of interest from high-level clubs in Europe. We, as I say, evaluate these opportunities on a case-by-case basis. And we will cross that bridge when the appropriate opportunity comes.”
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