The latest Manchester United transfer news as the club have, reportedly, made contact with Brighton over a possible transfer for their midfielder.
Carlos Baleba in action for Brighton.
Man Utd have been linked with a deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.
(Image: John Walton/PA Wire.)
With striker Benjamin Sesko now closing in on a switch to Manchester United, focus for the club in the transfer window moving forward is on bringing in a new midfielder.
Brighton and Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba is the player who has been linked with a move from Old Trafford, with United said to have made an enquiry to the Seagulls over a potential transfer.
The 21-year-old was one of the standout players for Brighton last season. He played 40 times in all competitions, scoring four goals and providing two assists from defensive midfield.
His arrival would help free up captain, Bruno Fernandes, in his deeper role in the United midfield for the upcoming season. But a deal may not be easy, with it suggested that Brighton are looking for a fee of at least £100million for the player.
Having already spent over £120million on deals for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, United's spending is set to approach the £200million mark with the expected recruitment of Sesko.
It's, therefore, unlikely that the club will able to spend another £100million plus on a player in the current window, even with the sale of Alejandro Garnacho. United are in talks with Chelsea over a deal for the winger.
It's actually Chelsea who may have played a second hand part in possibly pricing United out of a move for Baleba. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, United weren't actually told an asking price for the midfielder when they made their enquiry to Brighton.
The Seagulls are keen to keep the player until at least next summer, and believe that he can be worth as much as the £115million that Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo back in the summer of 2023.
If Brighton do hold out for a similar price, and don't soften their stance over the remainder of the transfer window, then United are unlikely to be able to match those demands. The Cameroon international has three years remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium, putting Brighton in a strong position.
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