Manchester United could apparently use Scott McTominay as part of their efforts to bring Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo to Old Trafford this summer.
Seagulls midfielder Caicedo was memorably on the radar of the Red Devils in 2021, but the 20-time English champions decided against a low-cost deal two years ago.
Instead, Brighton poached the Ecuador international from Independiente del Valle for just £4.3m, and he has since developed into one of the Premier League's most sought-after lynchpins.
Arsenal failed with two bids in January for Caicedo, who subsequently stunned Brighton by admitting that he wanted to leave, and he was briefly exiled from the squad as a result.
However, Caicedo soon mended his relationship with the Seagulls, signing a new contract until 2027 and shining during their successful push for Europa League football.
Roberto De Zerbi has already lost Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool this summer, but the Brighton boss conceded at the end of the season that Caicedo had likely played his final game for the club as well.
Arsenal will not be reigniting their interest in the 21-year-old as they close in on the club-record signing of West Ham United's Declan Rice, seemingly pushing Chelsea to the head of the queue.
Man United could also throw their hat into the ring as Erik ten Hag aims to bolster his midfield ranks further, having already brought Mason Mount to the club in a £55m deal from Chelsea.
However, a recent report claimed that Brighton could hold out for at least £100m in straight cash if they were to sell Caicedo this summer, and Chelsea are not willing to bow to their demands.
A nine-figure sum would also prove too steep for Man United, but according to The Mirror, the Red Devils may try to drive the price down by including McTominay in the deal.
The Scotland international was a bit-part player for Ten Hag during the 2022-23 season, making just 10 Premier League starts after falling behind Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the pecking order.
An exit this summer is therefore considered likely, and the report adds that Brighton have shown an interest in signing McTominay as they bid to replace Mac Allister and the wantaway Caicedo.
De Zerbi's side are not alone in the chase, though, as Everton, West Ham and Newcastle United are also said to be considering a swoop for the Scotland international, who recently affirmed that he remained happy at Old Trafford despite his playing situation.
McTominay joined Man United's academy in 2002 and has progressed through the ranks to make 209 appearances for the first team, scoring 19 goals and providing five assists.
Meanwhile, Caicedo has registered two goals and three assists from 53 games in a Brighton jersey, netting once in 37 Premier League outings largely from a defensive-midfield position last season. body check tags ::
