Manchester United are ‘very keen’ on Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

The Red Devils are one of several sides who have been credited with an interest in the talented 21-year-old in recent months, and a switch to Old Trafford could be in the offing.

Manchester United transfer news – Moises Caicedo

A recent report from The Mirror has claimed that Brighton are ready to cash-in on Caicedo with Newcastle United, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea credited with an interest in him.

The Seagulls are reportedly set to demand £85 million for their prized asset, who still has two-and-a-half-years left to run on his £10,000-per-week contract.

And Erik ten Hag’s charges may be confident of winning the race for Caicedo’s signature after he previously admitted that it is his ‘dream’ to play for the 20-time English champions.

“My dream is to play for Manchester United. Antonio Valencia is an example to follow,” the Ecuador international said in an exclusive interview with The Athletic.

“With his strength and dedication, he was able to get to that level. That motivates me to keep working hard and do the right things.”

What has Phillips said about Caicedo?

United were unsuccessful in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong over the summer but did manage to bring in Christian Eriksen and Casemiro to bolster their engine room.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

Nevertheless, Phillips has informed GiveMeSport that United, along with Chelsea, are eager to prise Caicedo away from the Amex Stadium.

He said: “Manchester United are also very keen on him as well, so there are other clubs there. I don't think anything will be done again in January for Caicedo, I think it will be in the summer.”

Where would Caicedo fit in at Man Utd?

Ten Hag saw Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic depart the Theatre of Dreams in the previous transfer window, and Fred is currently set to depart the club on a free transfer next summer.

United do have the option to extend the Brazil international’s stay by a further year, but it’s easy to understand why the club may want to strengthen their engine room options even further.

Caicedo, who has been described as "ridiculous", is an industrious box-to-box star blessed with technical ability and football intelligence, and those are attributes that would surely appeal to Ten Hag.

The Ecuador international’s goal against Senegal was not enough for his country to progress to the last 16 of the World Cup, yet his impressive performances on the biggest stage of all may have convinced United to make their move.