The latest Manchester United transfer news and views amid continued speculation on Carlos Baleba.
Carlos Baleba in action for Brighton.
Carlos Baleba is being linked with a switch to Man Utd.(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Manchester United are looking to refresh their midfield with a move for highly-rated Brighton man Carlos Baleba - and some fans in The Manchester Evening News comments section say he might just as transformative for United as the likes of Florian Wirtz could be for rivals Liverpool.
Baleba, 21, is a target for Ruben Amorim's side, after completing their overhaul of the misfiring attack that scored just 44 league goals last season. The young defensive midfielder is already one of the top performers in his role in the league, impressing with Brighton last season, and is considered to have a very high ceiling.
Brighton spent just over £23million in bringing him to England from Lille two years ago, while his asking price is expected to be over four times that already. It won't be an easy deal to strike - and it could depend on lining up outgoing business between now and the end of the transfer window.
With youngster Toby Collyer likely going out on loan, that leaves Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte to shoulder much of the defensive midfield duties.
Some readers say it would absolutely be worth the money and effort it would take to bring Baleba up from the south coast. Reader Ex-Limey says: "Baleba may yet arrive, for the eye-watering sum of £112million. Worth every penny, as he's in the same pool as Wirtz talent-wise."
Commenter Thedamnedunited writes: "We need him. Loving our forward line, but a midfield of Bruno & either Ugarte, Mainoo or Casemiro is going to get taken apart by most teams. Baleba can help get us close to top-four."
Cromwellswart urges some caution: "I see the potential offloading of Collyer as a signal that another midfielder is incoming. I can't see us losing Collyer only to back-fill with another academy player, especially after Erik's [ten Hag] left. I just hope they've properly done their homework on Baleba or any other targets, rather than a last minute trolley dash, as we know that we'll pay through the nose like we did with Casemiro rather than just sticking with the existing midfield."
The price tag is no obstacle for Holnetglobs: "Since Arsenal and Chelsea have done that, then why not Man Utd? There's no problem for buying Baleba at that price."
On our Facebook page, Ibrahim Muwerta would like to see Baleba and another midfielder partner at the club: "I am still not convinced that Baleba and Kobbie can make a creative partnership in the midfield. Kobbie looks slow, and Baleba is sharp. If Man Utd want to win something, they should try to buy both Baleba and Wharton."
Sosten Soko says: "We don't have a central midfielder who is athletic - or who can transfer the ball from the back to forward areas like Baleba can. United must break the bank and show some ambition."
Have your say! Should Manchester United spend big on Carlos Baleba? Or is it better value to continue with the midfield they have? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.