Liverpool legend Steve Nicol believes Liverpool should launch a second raid on Brighton & Hove Albion for Moises Caicedo after accepting his top target Declan Rice is heading elsewhere.
Earlier this month the Reds completed the signing of Alexis Mac Allister after triggering the release clause in his Brighton contract. The World Cup winner is set to be the first of at least two midfield signings Jurgen Klopp makes this summer.
Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone, Gabri Veiga and Ryan Gravenberch - who are all currently competing at the European Under-21 Championship - are some of the names on what is considered to be a long-than-usual Liverpool transfer shortlist. But one player who isn't on there is Declan Rice.
Instead the West Ham United captain looks to be heading to either Arsenal or Manchester City. That disappoints Steve Nicol, who won eight major honours during his 13-year stay at Anfield, as he wanted the £100m-rated Rice at his former club.
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But the 61-year-old pundit now believes the Reds should return to Brighton for Caicedo, who unlike Mac Allister, does not have a release clause in his contract.
“I would have liked Declan Rice to go to Liverpool,” Nicol told ESPN. “But that’s not happening.
“So, I have gone with Caicedo. He actually disrupts the opposition. Gets the ball back. But he can play a little bit as well.
“Liverpool, at their best, under Klopp have had three players in the middle of the park that have done that. They have got the ball back and supplied the front three, regardless of what three it will be next season.
“So, if I can’t get Declan Rice, then I would like this guy in the middle of the park for Liverpool, alongside Mac Allister. What better situation to have for a manager than to have two great players coming in, who know each other so well, that it shouldn’t be a problem integrating? It’s an ideal scenario for Liverpool.”
Chelsea and now Manchester United - after they hit a stumbling block over their pursuit over Mason Mount - are said to be leading the chase for Caicedo. The 21-year-old is reportedly rated at around £80m by Brighton, which like Rice and Jude Bellingham, who has joined Real Madrid, could price him out of any proposed move to Liverpool.
