Manchester United are still wrapping up a deal for Benjamin Sesko but links to Carlos Baleba have now emerged.
It has been known all summer that Ruben Amorim wants to sign an “athletic” midfielder this summer, and it seems Ineos are now pushing to make that happen.
Manchester United are closing in on Benjamin Sesko, and a £73m deal for the striker will take this summer’s spending over £200m.
But United can still fund a mega deal, and it seems Ineos are willing to test the water for Carlos Baleba.
United have contacted Brighton over Baleba, and it seems he could be the next target after Sesko.
Carlos Baleba in action for Brighton.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Carlos Baleba is the perfect profile for Ruben Amorim
United have been urged to sign Baleba this summer by fans and legends such as Rio Ferdinand, and now the transfer links are very much alive.
Amorim has been demanding intensity and physicality from his United players, especially the two selected to play as the central midfielders in his 3-4-2-1 system.
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During pre-season, Amorim complained about a “lack of pace” in midfield against Leeds United, and signing Baleba would give the United boss exactly what he has been looking for.
According to WhoScored, a statistical analysis of Baleba reveals he has three key strengths – ball interceptions, dribbling and aerial duels.
The 21-year-old midfielder ranks extremely highly against other midfielders in all three of those categories.
Man United might have to wait a year for Carlos Baleba
According to David Ornstein, Brighton are not planning on selling Baleba this summer, meaning it would take a mighty bid from United to even enter negotiations.
He added that all parties are aware that a move might be “realistic”, but Ineos have planted the seed for Baleba and could return in 12 months’ time.
Baleba is under contract at Brighton until 2028, meaning Brighton will be under more pressure to sell him next summer before risking him leaving as a free agent.
Ideally, Amorim will want a top-class midfielder this summer, but a player of Baleba’s quality is something that Ineos might be willing to wait for.
READ MORE: Man Utd set to blow recent Leeds United record out of the water with Benjamin Sesko transfer
United will likely struggle to fund another big-money move this summer before collecting fees for the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Jadon Sancho.
It’s not entirely impossible that it could happen this summer, but this could be the start of a long-running saga.