Manchester United do have alternatives to Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba should a deal fail to materialise in this transfer window, according to GIVEMESPORT Senior Reporter Fabrizio Romano.
Following the addition of Benjamin Sesko, the Red Devils have looked to step up their interest in the 21-year-old Premier League star, who Romano previously described as Ruben Amorim's 'dream' target for his midfield engine room at Old Trafford, in recent days.
Man Utd 'Have Carlos Baleba Alternatives'
baleba brighton
While Man United continue to hold talks and push for an ambitious deal to sign Baleba, Romano told GIVEMESPORT's Market Madness podcast on Tuesday that the Seagulls are in no mood to do business and could demand up to £120m to let their prized midfield asset leave before the September 1 deadline.
Given United have already brought in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Sesko for significant fees this summer, it is assumed that sales would now be needed in order for them to fund a potential club-record move for Baleba in the next three weeks.
United have offloaded Marcus Rashford's wages on loan to Barcelona, but the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund still remain at the club despite being heavily linked with exits in recent weeks.
Writing in his latest GIVEMESPORT newsletter on Wednesday morning after being asked if the Red Devils have Baleba alternatives lined up, Romano said:
For sure they will have alternatives as every top club does, but at the moment they're still trying for Baleba, still not easy.
Amorim's desire for a new midfielder to offer intensity is no surprise, given Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes are two of the Portuguese's top options in that area of the park as things stand.
Should United manage to pull off the signing of Baleba before the end of the month, he would arrive at Old Trafford ready to compete with the aforementioned duo and Manuel Ugarte for a spot in the starting XI.
Carlos Baleba statistics for Brighton in 2024-25
The Red Devils kick off their Premier League campaign by hosting Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, looking for a massive improvement on their 15th-placed finish last term.
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All statistics according to Sofascore - correct as of 13-08-25.