Manchester United are now confident they will sign Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba this summer as another midfielder edges closer to an exit after Casemiro, according to Theatre of Red.
United will move another step closer to securing Champions League football for next season when they host Leeds United at Old Trafford on Monday night, knowing that a win will take them 10 points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with six matches left to play.
Because of the success of English teams in Europe, they have the strongest UEFA coefficient among the top leagues and, as a result, a top-five finish in the Premier League will guarantee a spot in Europe's elite club competition next term.
Caretaker boss Michael Carrick has played a big part in putting the Red Devils in such a strong position to do so, having won seven and drawn two of his 10 top-flight games in charge prior to the visit of Daniel Farke's men.
United's recruitment team will already be working on who the club wants to bring in this summer to strengthen the squad for Carrick, or whoever else their next permanent manager could be, with a deal for Baleba looking on.
Baleba Retains Admirers at Man United
Carlos Baleba during a Brighton & Hove Albion pre-match warm-up
While United's top central midfield target has been confirmed as Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson by GIVEMESPORT sources, they face strong competition from arch-rivals Manchester City for the England international's signature.
The Red Devils want to land a top-class replacement for Casemiro this summer, with the Brazilian leaving the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.
According to Theatre of Red, there is a growing belief that Baleba will finally make the switch to Old Trafford in the next few months.
United wanted to land the highly-rated Brighton midfielder last summer but a gap in valuation and the Seagulls' reluctance to lose him meant a deal died.
The 22-year-old actually hasn't had the best season personally and has often been benched in Brighton's recent matches, but he still retains his admirers at Carrington and is seen as the ideal profile for this United squad.
Baleba has been valued at £100m by the south coast outfit previously, but United believe they can get him for nearer their valuation, which stands at around half of that amount.
GMS sources understand that United already did all the leg work when it comes to personal terms last summer, and nothing has changed since then with the player keen to join.
Ugarte Likely to Leave Alongside Casemiro
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim (right) speaks to Manuel Ugarte
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim (right) speaks to Manuel Ugarte on the touchline during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday October 25, 2025. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images/Alamy Images/Sipa USA)
As United prepare for the exit of Casemiro and try to source a replacement, or two, another midfielder in Ugarte could also be leaving Old Trafford this summer, according to Theatre of Red.
They report that the Uruguay international is 'edging closer' to an exit, having failed to convince both Ruben Amorim and Carrick that he is worthy of regular minutes on a consistent basis.
The £50m signing from Paris Saint-Germain has to be labelled as a flop all things considered, and United will be hoping to have more success with Baleba should he end up signing this summer.