Manchester United’s transfer window is still far from over with a midfielder on the cards next at Old Trafford.
Through the summer transfer window so far, Manchester United have prioritised the attack, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and soon to be Benjamin Sesko all arriving through the doors to significantly bolster Ruben Amorim’s team.
However, these are only three of the five positions that most United supporters wanted to see bolstered prior to the summer transfer window opening in June.
Amorim has consistently asked for midfield reinforcements, with United in particular lacking athleticism in the middle of the park, which has seen many grow weary of Manuel Ugarte.
Midfield is seen as the clear weak point of United’s 3-4-2-1 system, and it was crystal clear during pre-season that improvements were needed.
To bolster this position, Rio Ferdinand has suggested Carlos Baleba and now United have taken this advice.
Carlos Baleba jogging in Brighton kit.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Manchester United interested in signing Carlos Baleba
United have wanted Baleba since 2023, when the then Lille midfielder was targeted as one for the future.
Since then, he has joined Brighton and become one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
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Now, as a midfielder surely has become the next priority for Manchester United, United in Focus understands that Baleba’s camp has been approached by the club.
United in Focus‘ transfer correspondent, Graeme Bailey, has spoken with us to reveal the latest on the Cameroonian midfielder and Old Trafford links.
“Carlos Baleba is a player that has been on United’s radar since before he joined Brighton, and they have followed him closely ever since.
“They like him a lot, but they are not alone in that – from PSG to Liverpool, all the major clubs in Europe are very much on his trail.
“The feeling in football is that Baleba will only have one more year on the South Coast.
“United are in regular contact with his people – but they know that to get him out of Brighton this summer, they would put Moises Caicedo type money on him, it is very unlikely.
“United have others on their radar too – as we know Valencia’s Javi Guerra is someone they appreciate. United were one of the club’s who really appreciated Ardon Jashari too, but he was committed to AC Milan.
“In an ideal world, United would do another CDM and goalkeeper after the Sesko deal is completed.”
Ruben Amorim’s system would be complete with Carlos Baleba
Manchester United have needed a top class defensive midfielder for years, dating back long before Amorim arrived through the doors of Carrington.
Baleba would be just that, and could effectively be United’s own version of Moises Caicedo, with the pair often compared for similar qualities.
If United sign Baleba, it could be the difference between top six and a title race, he is that good.
There wouldn’t be a better option on the market than Baleba, so even if it is unlikely, any remote possibility should be explored and pushed for.
Baleba and Kobbie Mainoo for the next decade in midfield sounds like a dream pairing with so much development yet to come.