Carlos Baleba might not be arriving at Manchester United this summer, but INEOS have the chance to swoop for an equally, if not more, exciting Premier League midfield talent.
INEOS pulled the plug on bringing Baleba to Old Trafford for now because Brighton & Hove Albion have made it clear that the Cameroonian is not for sale. It's a blow for Ruben Amorim as his side are crying out for a new number six but the club do have alternatives in mind.
Graeme Bailey of United In Focus reports that United have "enquired" about a potential move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. It's said that interest in the English midfielder has been long-term, and that suggests they have assessed whether he'd be a fit in Amorim's system.
Who Needs Baleba? Adam Wharton Better For Amorim's Man United
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There's no doubt that Baleba and Wharton are two of the Premier League's most promising midfield talents, having shone during their short spells in the English top-flight. Both are well-rounded but offer different profiles, and the Palace man could be perfect for Amorim.
The Portuguese coach explained the kind of midfielder he likes just before taking over at Old Trafford:
"I often discuss with my fellow coaches because they all love Casemiro and players like him. But I prefer those who rely more on intelligence than speed or aggression when recovering the ball."
Wharton's main attribute is his footballing IQ, which enables him to retain possession with excellent composure and dictate play with an astute passing range. He is a jack-of-all-trades in the middle of the park who has caught the eye both offensively and defensively, one of the key men in Palace's FA Cup final triumph last season.
The 21-year-old, dubbed "exceptional" by Micah Richards, only joined Oliver Glasner's Eagles in January 2024 but quickly became an undisputed starter and earned a call-up to England's Euro 2024 squad. He is tipped to be one of the Three Lions' superstar talents and, as such, won't come cheaply.
United were reportedly informed that it would take in excess of £100m to prise the Blackburn-born midfielder away from Selhurst Park. There's a feeling that he's "highly unlikely" to be attainable this summer but INEOS' enquiry suggests they could try their luck.
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INEOS' pursuit of Baleba isn't over, as they are expected to revive their interest next year, although there's a risk that other clubs may get involved in a potential chase for the Cameroon international. But Amorim needs an overhaul in midfield, which may include two new faces, and the futures of Casemiro, 33, and Bruno Fernandes, 30, could be key.
There has been talk of this being Fernandes' last season with the club despite turning down a £100m move to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal earlier this summer. Wharton could arrive as the Portuguese playmaker's replacement, and perhaps they will then move for Baleba as a possible Casemiro replacement with his contract set to expire in June 2026.
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