Manchester United are confident that Carlos Baleba wants to move to Old Trafford, but convincing Brighton & Hove Albion to part ways will be the difficult part.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Manchester United firmly believe that Carlos Baleba wants to make the move to Old Trafford. The Red Devils are not deterred by Brighton & Hove Albion’s huge asking price, as there is a distinct possibility of the two clubs talking terms in the coming period if the Seagulls signal their intention to do business.
The transfer window is still some way from ending, with Manchester United showing big intentions to fortify their current squad. While the current focus is to get unwanted players out of the club, the Red Devils are angling for key reinforcements that could take them closer to the top four next season.
Having signed Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United have immediately shifted their focus towards strengthening their midfield unit. The central areas lack the right quality at the moment, and that would be a worrying sign for any Red Devils fan.
Following their move for Sesko, Manchester United wasted no time in approaching Brighton & Hove Albion for their star midfielder Carlos Baleba. The 21-year-old would add steel and grit to Ruben Amorim’s side, although there is the big matter of convincing Brighton to part ways with the midfielder.
Manchester United are in a strong position for Baleba, and now, they believe the player may want to switch to Old Trafford. Brighton, for their part, have shown in the past they are hardly deterred by player preference, as they are reportedly holding out for a fee of over £100 million. Manchester United are currently not deterred by the asking price, which could open the possibility of commencing negotiations with the Seagulls.
Manchester United needs a key midfielder
Carlos Baleba is the clear priority for Manchester United, and while the club are seemingly open to paying a high fee for the £100 million-rated midfielder, convincing Brighton & Hove Albion will be the difficult part. The Red Devils could wait for another year if they cannot get him now, although there are other alternatives like Athletic Club’s Mikel Jauregizar.
VfB Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller is another alternative, while Morten Hjulmand was considered earlier in the window. Overall, Manchester United seems intent on adding a top-quality midfielder to their ranks if they cannot prise Baleba this summer, with the Red Devils likely to return for the £100 million-rated target next summer.