Manchester United are set to miss out on the signing of Moises Caicedo, according to reports in Ecuador.
United have been heavily linked with a move for the 19-year-old midfielder and reports last month claimed that talks had begun with the player’s club Independiente del Valle.
The Ecuadorian side are understood to be demanding an initial £5.5 million transfer fee plus add-ons, as well as a 20 per cent sell-on clause.
United appeared to be the frontrunners in the race to sign Caicedo, with the midfielder even publicly stating his desire to join Old Trafford.
But according to multiple reports in Ecuador on Friday evening, Independiente del Valle have now reached an agreement with a rival Premier League club over a deal for Caicedo.
It’s claimed that United have not yet made a formal offer and are now expected to lose out on securing a deal for the highly rated Ecuador international this month.
Chelsea and West Ham have also been keeping tabs on Caicedo’s performances for over a year.
But according to reports in Italy, Everton are now in the driving seat to sign Caicedo as they have offered a £5.5m fee to Independiente del Valle and have assured the midfielder that he will be given a chance to make an immediate impact in the first team under Carlo Ancelotti.
Caicedo is widely regarded as one of the best young midfield talents in South America and delivered several impressive performances in last year’s Copa Libertadores.
‘There is interest from various teams for Moises Caicedo and we believe that we will not have him this year,’ Morales told Radio La Red.
‘There is much speculation with Moises Caicedo, but we haven’t had any communication with Manchester United.
‘We are surprised that they even talk about values, but we haven’t spoken with Manchester United, although we have spoken with other great teams in the world.’
