Steve Bruce reveals Moises Caicedo nearly signed for Newcastle two years ago

Former Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has revealed that Chelsea’s record signing Moises Caicedo nearly signed for the Magpies two years ago.

Caicedo recently completed his much-anticipated move from Brighton to Chelsea for a fee of £115million – the most expensive transfer in British football history.

The Blues were desperate to sign the defensive midfielder and saw off competition from Liverpool to land him, with the 21-year-old rejecting the chance to move to Anfield despite them first agreeing a fee with the Seagulls.

Caicedo almost joined Newcastle

But the Ecuador international’s career could have looked very different had he joined a different Premier League club when he first came to England.

‘When I was at Newcastle we tried to sign Moises Caicedo for £4.5million and I remember thinking what a good player he was,’ Bruce told William Hill.

‘The chief scout at Newcastle, Steve Nixon, came and told me that I had to see him play and that he was sensational.

‘He ended up choosing Brighton instead of Newcastle and that will go down as one that we missed out on because now he’s gone on to become the British record transfer fee for £115 million, but he is a top, top player.’

Timing was perfect for Newcastle

Caicedo moved from Independiente del Valle to the Amex in February 2021 for around £4.5m, though he wouldn’t make his Premier League debut until April the following year, and since then he has enjoyed a meteoric rise.

Had he gone to St. James’ Park instead it would have been perfect timing as just months later Newcastle were taken over by the Saudi-backed PIF and have also enjoyed a meteoric rise under Bruce’s replacement Eddie Howe.

They surprisingly qualified for the Champions League last season, and though competition will be tougher, Brice is backing them to do it again, adding: ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Newcastle managed to finish in the top four again this season.

St James’ Park transformed

‘They are going to have more competition for it this year because you would expect Liverpool and Chelsea to both be better than they were last year.

‘I think they have bought really well again and they’ve had a good start to the season, so we’ll have to wait and see.

‘St James’ Park has transformed from when I was there. You can see the sell-out crowds and the flags waving and all the rest of it; it’s a really difficult place for anybody to go and get a result.’

Conclusion

Moises Caicedo’s career could have looked very different had he joined Newcastle two years ago. However, he chose Brighton instead and has since gone on to become the most expensive transfer in British football history. Despite missing out on Caicedo, Newcastle have enjoyed a meteoric rise since their takeover by the Saudi-backed PIF and Bruce is confident they can qualify for the Champions League again this season.