Liverpool explored signing ‘fantastic’ PL player for just £4m in 2021, now they want him again – journalist

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Liverpool first ‘explored’ signing reported transfer target Moises Caicedo before he joined Brighton in 2021.

That’s according to journalist Ben Jacobs. Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs claimed that Liverpool looked at bringing the then 19-year-old to the club straight from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle.

“They [Liverpool] very much admire the player [Caicedo] and have done historically. When he was at Independiente del Valle before he joined Brighton, they did explore signing Moises Caicedo,” he said.

Jacobs then explained that although it was possible to do a deal for the player in January, it could be a ‘messy’ one to get over the line.

“It’s what’s been termed to me as a messy deal because even though Brighton could be persuaded to sell for a high price this January, the representation side of things is problematic.

“There’s more than one agent and he also changed his agent towards the back end of the summer.”

Liverpool miss out on Moises bargain

To some Liverpool fans, this will be a source of great frustration. Caicedo ended up moving to Brighton for around £4m in February 2021. Should the Reds decide to pursue a deal for him now, it’s likely he’ll cost them at least £65m.

Obviously, it would have been far, far cheaper to sign him directly from Ecuador. But had Liverpool bought him, who’s to say things would have worked out the same way.

A footballer’s pathway to realising their potential is laced with intricacy. Brighton has proven to be the perfect place for Caicedo to start to make good on his.

The youngster may well have done the same at Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp is a big believer in promoting youth and with spots available in the Liverpool midfield last season he may have got his chance. With a talent that former boss Graham Potter has called ‘fantastic,’ perhaps Caicedo would have taken things in his stride.

But even then, it’s easy to see things going wrong, too. With respect to Brighton, Liverpool are different animal. For a young kid arriving from the comparatively humble Ecuadorian league it may have been too much.

To their credit, the Seagulls have proven themselves to be a perfect platform for such talented young players to shine. So, Liverpool may have to pay handsomely for Caicedo now, but at least they know what they’re paying for. Let’s see if they decide to do more than ‘explore’ this time around.

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