Manchester United have serious interest in Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba as they aim to revamp their midfield this summer.
Baleba would be a quality replacement for Casemiro but Brighton are expected to play hardball in negotiations.
The Red Devils explored the possibility of signing Baleba last summer and are believed to remain admirers of his talent.
Personal terms are not expected to present any significant obstacle should negotiations progress.
The real challenge lies in reaching an agreement with one of the toughest negotiating clubs in English football.
Man United value Baleba at around £50m but Brighton were demanding well in excess of £100m for his services in 2025.
His performances dipped slightly last season as speculation surrounding his future intensified.
INEOS will hope that Brighton soften their stance on Baleba and accept a bid at a lower fee.
However, there is little evidence to suggest the Seagulls are prepared to lower their demands significantly.
A bid in the region of £50m-£60m is unlikely to tempt Brighton into serious discussions.
The South Coast club have built a reputation for extracting maximum value whenever they decide to sell a key player.
The recent departure of defender Jan Paul van Hecke offers the perfect example.
The Dutch international had only one year remaining on his contract, yet Brighton still rejected multiple approaches before eventually agreeing to a £52m deal with Tottenham Hotspur.
He is undoubtedly a quality defender, but securing such a fee for a player entering the final year of his contract demonstrates Brighton’s exceptional negotiating power.
If that was not impressive enough, Brighton also managed to secure a 20 per cent sell-on clause as part of the agreement.
The deal represents another financial masterclass from the club’s recruitment department, considering they signed Van Hecke from NAC Breda for only £1.8m in 2020.
Baleba remains under contract for another two years, giving Brighton an even stronger position at the negotiating table.
If United want to bring him to Old Trafford, they may have to prepare for another lengthy and expensive battle.
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