Chelsea and Ajax have made approaches for Independiente del Valle midfielder Moises Caicedo, according to reports in Ecuador.

Manchester United were thought to be leading the race for the 19-year-old but Independiente del Valle’s sporting director Santiago Morales says there has been no formal contact with the Red Devils.

With that being the case, Chelsea may now be in pole position to sign Caicedo during the January transfer window and supporters on Twitter are seeing it as a positive development:

Interesting another hijacking Marina masterclass ??

Hth CC Out

— Tony with a Y ?? (@CriticalCudicni) January 6, 2021

Dusted because Marina runs the show

— OVO ?️ (@Horusosiris1) January 6, 2021

Great news

— Teymmy_@CFC (@JustinTemmy) January 6, 2021

Mate he’s special ! It’s rare you see a player who can both defend and attack. Reminds me of Essien and we need that type of player now. A proper box to box player ! Use this link to see properly https://t.co/JpW60tPuXZ

— jaeden (@Youneshas14) January 6, 2021

Interesting. If we signed him, what does that do to Rice interest I wonder.

— TheScore (@TheScore01) January 6, 2021

United journalist tweeting
That United are close

But wait how close is Chelsea in this race ?

— Chelsea FansZone?? (@LalaOtu) January 6, 2021

Caicedo is a holding midfielder by trade so there will be questions over whether the Blues will go after West Ham’s Declan Rice as well, considering they play in the same position. There is no doubt though who would be the cheaper option.

Reports vary on how much the Ecuadorian international could cost. It was initially thought he could be snapped up fo $6m (£4.4m) but recently that has been revised up to €10m (£9m).