Caicedo, 21, is enjoying a breakout season with Brighton, making 33 appearances in all competitions for the Seagulls.
The Ecuadorian international’s energetic and combative performances in midfield have helped propel the south-coast club up to seventh in the Premier League, with Roberto De Zerbi’s side now just seven points off the Champions League places.
Brighton are also through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they will face Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.
Caicedo was strongly linked with both Arsenal and Chelsea in the January transfer window but a move failed to materialise.
Both London outfits had multiple bids turned down by Brighton for the midfielder, including a £70 million offer from the Gunners.
In a bid to force through a move, Caicedo penned an open letter to Brighton on social media – thanking the club but urging them to allow him to leave for Arsenal.
Brighton refused to change their stance and kept Caicedo at the Amex Stadium, before convincing the midfielder to sign a new contract until 2027.
Caicedo continues to be linked with a move away this summer, with Arsenal and Liverpool among his reported suitors.
However, the Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder has stated in an interview with Cadena SER, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo, that he would love to play for the reigning European and La Liga champions Real Madrid, and dreams of winning the UEFA Champions League with the European juggernaut.
Caicedo said: “It was always my dream to play for Real Madrid.
“Now I’m doing things very well and why not one day play there and win a Champions League with Real Madrid.”
Real Madrid already have a world-class midfield roster, boasting the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelien Tchouameni, while they are also in the frame to sign highly-coveted Jude Bellingham, so it’s highly unlikely Caicedo’s wish would realise anytime soon.
Still, Caicedo’s affinity for Madrid is yet another reminder that the very best players in Europe still look up to Los Blancos as the pinnacle of sport, and a very attractive prospect to represent.
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