Manchester United have turned their attention to Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba as their next transfer target this summer.
The recent £66m arrival of Benjamin Sesko has taken Manchester United’s summer spending north of £200 million, but the signs are that Ineos won’t stop there.
United have made contact over Carlos Baleba, but Brighton’s stance is that they don’t want to sell their talented midfielder for at least one more year.
It was widely anticipated that United would struggle financially this summer, with the Red Devils appearing close to their limits under the Profit and Sustainability Rules.
So far, Ineos have managed to be flexible with United’s transfer budget, but to sanction a big-money move for Carlos Baleba, the Red Devils will have to sell.
Carlos Baleba jogging in Brighton kit.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Alejandro Garnacho sale will be key to Carlos Baleba pursuit
It has been reported that Brighton want £100m for Baleba if United are going to make a deal happen this summer.
United certainly won’t have enough cash remaining in the bank to reach Brighton’s asking price, but sales could help the Red Devils make something happen.
Marcus Rashford’s loan move saved United £15m, but that has been the only significant departure this summer so far. Ineos will be keen to get the cogs turning on deals for the likes of Alejandro Garnacho.
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Out of the remaining four unwanted players left out of Amorim’s squad, Garnacho’s sale will be the most critical for Ineos.
As a Carrington graduate, Garnacho’s sale will represent pure profit on the accounting books, which will have a huge impact on the budget.
United want £40m for Garnacho this summer, with talks ongoing with Chelsea to reach an agreement on a permanent sale.
How Man United can raise £100m for Carlos Baleba deal
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Baleba’s personal terms will not be an issue, so the only head scratcher for Ineos is how they will afford the £100 million asking price.
United in Focus previously explained how United can still afford a mega-deal this summer, and much of it relies on the sale of Garnacho.
Under the current financial rules, the price of incomings is amortised over several years, meaning their accounting costs are spread. Ineos spread the cost of Cunha and Mbeumo, and will likely use a similar strategy for Baleba.
Infographic explaining amortisation in football finance, with United in Focus logo
Amortisation in football finance infographic Credit: Adam Williams/United in Focus/GRV Media
In contrast, sales are registered immediately, meaning Garnacho’s sale would provide an instant £40m boost to United’s PSR calculations.
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On top of Garnacho, United are open to selling Rasmus Hojlund, while additional funds should be raised from Antony and Jadon Sancho.
It’s impossible to say whether that is enough for United to fully fund a Baleba deal this summer, but the fact that Ineos are probing Brighton suggests it is entirely on the cards.