Manchester United have now entered club-to-club discussions with Brighton and Hove Albion to sign midfielder Carlos Baleba following previous talks with the player's agent, according to journalist Charlie Haffenden.
After strengthening their frontline with the additions of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko this summer, Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim has turned his attention to adding a midfielder who will bring intensity and energy before the September 1 deadline.
Baleba has emerged as the Portuguese's top target to come in and compete with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte for a starting spot in the middle of the park.
Man Utd 'Hold Talks' With Brighton Over Carlos Baleba Deal
carlos baleba
Following reports earlier on Thursday that Brighton had agreed to sell Baleba to Man United, journalist and Seagulls fan Charlie Haffenden provided an update on his X account on Thursday night.
According to Haffenden, the south coast club have not reached any agreement with the Red Devils to sell the 21-year-old, although there has been a new development with the two clubs now holding direct talks with one another.
Previously, GIVEMESPORT Senior Reporter Fabrizio Romano had reported that United were in constant contact with Baleba's camp to gauge interest in a transfer to Old Trafford, receiving encouraging signals from him and his team.
Haffenden has also confirmed that the Cameroon international is keen on the move, but Brighton won't be bullied into a transfer with two-and-a-half weeks of the window remaining.
Romano told GIVEMESPORT's Market Madness Podcast on Tuesday that the Seagulls could even demand £120m for their prized midfielder, such is their determination to keep him at the Amex this season.
United kick off their Premier League campaign on Sunday when they host Arsenal at Old Trafford, looking to make a drastic improvement on their 15th-placed finish last term.
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