Manchester United have now made contact with the agents of a "wonderful" £100m rising star, who could join after RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.
Sesko set for Man Utd medical
Man United now look set to win the race for Sesko, despite rival interest from Newcastle United, and Romano has revealed that a deal is edging closer to completion.
In fact, the Slovenia international is now "ready to fly" to England to complete a move to Old Trafford, having struck an agreement on personal terms, with United trying to get the deal over the line as soon as possible.
Should the Red Devils complete a move for Sesko, it will be a huge relief for Ruben Amorim, having chased a new centre-forward throughout the summer, but it is not the only position in which the manager is looking to strengthen.
According to a new update from Romano on X, Man United are also keen to get a new defensive midfielder through the door, having made an approach to the agents of Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba.
Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba
After wrapping up the deal for Sesko, United plan to try and bring in a new midfielder, but a deal for Baleba could be difficult, given that he is valued very highly by his current employers.
In fact, transfer expert Graeme Bailey believes the Seagulls could hold out for £100m, adding: "I am told that Brighton are not contemplating a Baleba sale this summer and are not encouraging it either. They are saying he is not for sale."
"Wonderful" Baleba could take Man Utd's midfield to next level
Man United already have Manuel Ugarte at their disposal in defensive midfield, but the 24-year-old received widespread criticism for his debut season at Old Trafford, and the more experienced Casemiro hasn't always set the world alight either.
In fact, former Liverpool man Jamie Carragher infamously suggested the Brazilian's time at the top level is over.
Consequently, it is no surprise that Amorim is looking to bring in a new defensive midfielder this summer, and the Brighton star clearly has what it takes to succeed at Old Trafford, having been lauded by Alan Shearer for a fantastic all-round performance against Manchester City last season.
alan-shearer-micah-richards-motd
Shearer said: "He was absolutely wonderful and he just changed the tempo of the game. He changed the performance of Brighton. Not only on the front foot but he did his bit defensively as well and he got wired in which no one really did in the first half."
With Baleba also placing in the 90th percentile for interceptions per 90 over the past year, and the 85th percentile for blocks, he is evidently a very talented defensive midfielder, but the £100m asking price could be prohibitive.