Manchester United have 'lived to regret' their decision not to push through a move for Brighton & Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo, according to South American football expert Tim Vickery.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag may have spent close to £220million during the summer transfer window, but the club failed in their pursuit of a long-term target.
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What's the latest news involving Caicedo?
Caicedo joined Brighton in a £4.5million deal from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle last year, but it has emerged that Manchester United also came close to reaching an agreement.
According to The Athletic, the central midfielder only headed to the Amex Stadium after the Red Devils stepped away from talks in February 2021.
The report suggests complications over payments to various agents stopped Manchester United finalising a move for the 25-cap Ecuador international.
But it seems their interest has not gone away as it is understood that the Premier League giants were among a number of clubs weighing up a move for Caicedo ahead of the summer transfer deadline.
A move failed to come to fruition and Graham Potter, who has since left the Brighton dugout to take over at Chelsea, has previously revealed it would take a bid worth close to £100million to tempt the Seagulls into doing business.
What has Tim Vickery said about Caicedo?
Vickery understands that Manchester United could have bought Caicedo for a minimal fee in comparison to what he is worth now.
The journalist feels the South American has a bright future ahead of him and the Red Devils rue giving up the opportunity to strike a deal.
Vickery told GIVEMESPORT: "Man Utd could have had him first and really for a song. They thought the deal was too complex, I think.
"But, for the amount of money, it was worth taking a chance on him and I think they've lived to regret that since.
"That's the direction that he's certainly going in because I think any club can do with a midfielder with those all-round characteristics."
How has Caicedo performed this season?
Despite a change in the dugout, with Roberto De Zerbi replacing Potter at the Brighton helm last month, Caicedo has started every Premier League fixture since the campaign got underway.
It was on the opening day when he would have caught the eye of Manchester United's supporters, with him playing the full 90 minutes as his current employers sealed a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
According to Sofascore, Caicedo was the third best performer on the pitch, with team-mates Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck being the only stars to score better than his 7.5 match rating.
Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen described Caicedo as 'assured' after grabbing his first goal of the season during Brighton's win over Leicester City last month, so he has shown he can contribute in the final third of the pitch as well.
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