Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United remain in contact with Carlos Baleba's entourage over a potential deal for the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder, who is "loved" by Ruben Amorim.
Baleba has emerged as the club's top target after they completed a £74m deal for Benjamin Sesko. INEOS now intend to focus on strengthening Amorim's midfield and the Brighton man is at the top of their wishlist.
The Seagulls have slapped a staggering £104m price-tag on the Cameroonian who has three years remaining on his agreement. Romano has suggested that the Red Devils are willing to play the waiting game regarding bringing the 21-year-old to Old Trafford.
Fabrizio Romano: Man Utd Maintain Contact With Carlos Baleba
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Baleba is one of the Premier League's most exciting young talents, who is expected to follow in the footsteps of Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo. The former LOSC Lille talent arrived at the Amex in the summer of 2023 for £23.2m after selling Caicedo to Stamford Bridge for a British transfer record £116m.
That's the sort of price range Brighton are looking at regarding United's interest in buying Baleba and Romano delved into where a potential transfer stands. He said on his YouTube channel:
"Man United still maintain contacts with the agents of Carlos Baleba, contacts are still ongoing, but at the moment, they still believe that the deal is really complicated, is really difficult, so at the moment there is no concrete progress.
Brighton are one of the Premier League's best-selling clubs, and United will have to fork out a hefty fee. But they are taking significant steps in their pursuit of the Cameroonian:
"But I am told that Man United maintain contacts with the agents of the player. Let's see what's going to happen there, Brighton have no intention to sell, so they would require a really big fee for Baleba."
Romano added:
"Man United at the moment make their steps, started this week by making an approach to people close to the player, to try to understand the situation, maintain the contacts with the agents of the player, so don't leave the conversation immediately.
United have switched up their negotiating tactics this summer, taking their time over beating Newcastle United to Sesko's signing by ensuring the Slovenian only wanted them. The club's contact with Baleba suggests they have the player on board and are willing to be patient regarding negotiations with Brighton:
"So Man United make their move, quite calm, seeing what's gonna happen, obviously if there will be a door open for Man United, Baleba is considered the perfect midfielder, the player loved by the coach Ruben Amorim."
Romano added:
"But at the moment the wall from Brighton is really high. So it's not an easy deal at all. It's not a quick deal at all so forget about that. Man United remain in contact, but at the moment Brighton maintain their position; they don't want to sell the player this summer."
United may wait for the rest of the transfer window, which closes on September 1st, to try and prise Baleba away from Brighton. They have already splashed the cash this summer, bringing Sesko (£74m), Bryan Mbeumo (£71m) and Matheus Cunha (£62.4m) to Old Trafford.
A potential transfer could occur if INEOS manage to offload some of Amorim's 'bomb squad'. Jadon Sancho is reportedly on Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund's radar, while Antony has been the subject of two offers from Benfica.
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