Manchester United have reportedly decided to launch an official bid for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba in January, but his price tag of £115m could prove prohibitive.
The Red Devils will be thankful for the ongoing international break given the spotlight has been taken off of them and their poor start to 2025-26.
Ruben Amorim has overseen losses to Arsenal and Grimsby Town, a draw with Fulham and a narrow 3-2 victory against newly-promoted Burnley at home on August 30.
United largely focused on reinforcing their forward line this summer, but they had been linked to Brighton midfielder Baleba, though the summer window closed without a midfield addition.
The Manchester Evening News claim that the club are planning an official approach to the Seagulls for the Cameroon international, while a move for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Zeno Debast has also been touted, though his release clause of £70m is not seen as justifiable.
Zeno Debast in action for Belgium against Liechtenstein, on September 4, 2025
Why Manchester United need Carlos Baleba to qualify for the Champions League
United needed to reinforce up front considering they only found the back of the net 44 times in the Premier League last term, the fifth worst return in the top flight in 2024-25.
The club's decision to sign the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo has pushed captain Bruno Fernandes into a deeper position in midfield, and the 30-year-old has struggled with the demands of his new role.
On paper, Fernandes's passing range and ability to play forward at pace could be useful in deeper zones, but he has found his newfound defensive responsibility difficult to deal with.
Baleba's addition would be a welcome one given the 21-year-old is athletic enough to cover ground at pace, something that Fernandes, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have failed to do on a consistent basis.
If Fernandes is not provided more support at the base of midfield, then it is hard to see how United can make a push for the Premier League's Champions League spots.
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba in September 2024.
Zeno Debast: Why Ruben Amorim needs another centre-back
Zeno Debast is just 21 years old and is yet to play a single season of football in one of Europe's traditional top five leagues, with the centre-back having played in the Belgium Pro League and Portugal's Primeira Liga.
The Belgian has predominantly played on the right side of central defence, meaning he would theoretically be competing with Leny Yoro for a place in Amorim's backline.
While United must be careful not to hinder Yoro's development, the signing of a defender for their three-man defence should arguably be seen as a matter of priority.
Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez have been key for the Red Devils in the past, but the duo have frequently suffered injuries, and they may not be able to be relied upon in the future.
Harry Maguire has been one of the club's best performers for the last few seasons, but the Englishman is now 32 and could feasibly decline in the coming campaigns.
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