Manchester United might be kicking off their Premier League season with a marquee game against Arsenal but the transfer business doesn’t stop for anyone.
Having signed Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko for north of £200m, there are still some holes in the squad, and an impending exit blitz looms large.
The failure in their audacious chase for Carlos Baleba is the big one, with Ruben Amorim’s demand for an athletic midfielder still unanswered.
United in Focus can exclusively reveal that the failure in the chase for Baleba hasn’t deterred United from aiming high, with another proven PL quantity on their radar now.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool - 2025 FA Community Shield
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Man Utd enter Adam Wharton sweepstakes
The theme of getting Premier League-proven players is set to continue at Old Trafford as United attempt to engineer another audacious move after Baleba.
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey, speaking to United in Focus, says that the club have identified Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as an alternative to Baleba.
Carlos Baleba smiling in Brighton jacket.
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Bailey says United have ‘enquired’ about Wharton this week, and are now contemplating the next steps.
Bailey adds that the deal will be a difficult one to pull off, especially as Tottenham are interested in getting Eberechi Eze, which would harden Palace’s strength on future sales.
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Bailey said: “UIF understands one of Manchester United’s alternatives to Carlos Baleba is Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.
“We can confirm United have made enquiries this week and are contemplating whether to make a move. Wharton is a player United have a long-term interest in, and like with Baleba, they feel he would offer them something different.
“However, it is highly unlikely that Wharton would be attainable this summer with Eberechi Eze set to move to Tottenham Hotspur in the coming week.
“Whilst Palace are likely to refuse to entertain any approach, we are told that to land Wharton it would take a deal in excess of £100m.”
Man Utd remain determined to buy a midfielder
They might have struck out on Carlos Baleba, and the interest in Wharton might be a long-term game as well, but United remain committed to answering Amorim’s wish for a midfielder.
United in Focus understands that Sporting’s Morten Hjulmand remains of interest to them, and there have been scattered links to the likes of Hayden Hackney as well.
Ultimately, it is clear that nobody fits in as perfectly into that midfield as Baleba did, so United might have to convince Amorim to wait for a season.
Groundwork done this season might allow them to do a double for Wharton and Baleba next summer, which would completely transform their season.
With Casemiro’s contract expiring and Bruno Fernandes getting on his years, a double signing of Wharton and Baleba next summer would send shockwaves through the league.