Santos ‘in talks’ with Pumas over José Caicedo loan | OneFootball

According to Diario Do Peixe, Santos have opened talks with Pumas over a loan for Colombian midfielder José Caicedo, with an option to buy. Negotiations are under way.

Santos have been seeking a young, physically strong midfielder since the end of last season. Caicedo, 23, fits the brief with mobility, intensity and box-to-box qualities the hierarchy view as key to balancing the squad.

Caicedo finished last season as a regular starter at Pumas but has seen his minutes reduced this year. He was on the bench in their league opener, then went unused in the next match. That context has eased dialogue, after Santos failed to reach agreement for priority target Loyola.

Despite options including Willian Arão, Zé Rafael, João Schmidt, Tomás Rincón, Gabriel Bontempo and Gabriel Menino, the club believes it lacks a midfielder with bite in the tackle, intensity in transition and runs to support attacks. Those attributes are considered essential to this season’s game model and are a request of Juan Pablo Vojvoda.

An Independiente Santa Fe academy product, Caicedo turned professional in 2019. He played for Barranquilla FC and Pumas Tabasco before establishing himself in Pumas UNAM’s first team from 2022.

Source: Diario Do Peixe