'A terrific athlete who is cool in possession' - Top pundit's description of Brighton target that will excite fans

Moises Caicedo has received high praise from one of the world's most prominent South American football experts – who admits Manchester United’s loss will be Brighton & Hove Albion’s gain.

The Seagulls are closing on the £4.5m signing of Caicedo from Independiente del Valle.

The 19-year-old is likely to be loaned out to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.

Indeed, a number of Premier League clubs had expressed interest in the midfielder with Caicedo heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Manchester United, however, have opted not to make an offer.

“This time last week, I was telling you it was going to be Manchester United based on what the sources in Ecuador were saying,” Vickery – who appears weekly on the BBC's World Football Phone-In – said.

"I will now defer to my default position of only making predictions after the event! If it is Brighton, then United’s loss is Brighton’s gain.”

“Caicedo is a terrific player. Independiente del Valle are a small club that continue to exist based on developing players in order to sell them. They do it unbelievably well, bringing in top-class Spanish youth coaches to develop their players. Caicedo made stepping into the first team at his club and with his national team look like a breeze in 2020.”

“He’s a box-to-box midfielder, a terrific athlete who is cool in possession. He’s not a wizard, not a glamorous player but he’s got so much to offer.”