Manchester United have now identified a "phenomenal" midfielder as their new dream target, and they are hoping to get a deal wrapped up before the transfer deadline, according to a report.
Man Utd halt Baleba pursuit with Brighton demanding £100m+
Man United were willing to break the bank to sign Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba, despite being quoted over £100m, but they have now halted their pursuit of the midfielder, given that the Seagulls are extremely reluctant to sanction a departure.
Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler has also asserted that he is "very, very confident" Baleba will remain a Brighton player beyond the September 1st deadline, and United have now been forced to move on to alternative targets.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that United are well-placed to win the race for Sporting CP's Morten Hjulmand, despite rival interest from Juventus, but reports from elsewhere suggest INEOS are hesitant about spending £69m on the Danish midfielder.
However, according to a report from Spain, the United board 'highly value' Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, suggesting they are big fans of the Englishman, who has now emerged as the new dream midfield target.
Wharton is viewed as an alternative to Baleba, and INEOS are clearly looking to get a deal wrapped up soon, having formulated plans to sign him before the transfer deadline, rather than waiting until the January transfer window or next summer.
There is a belief the 21-year-old would be an ideal fit for Ruben Amorim's side, having sought a player capable of providing balance in midfield for quite some time, and the youngster could even be brought in as a replacement for Casemiro.
crystal-palace-adam-wharton-premier-league
Adam Wharton in action against Chelsea.
However, a deal will not be easy, given that Palace are in no hurry to sanction a departure, with the Eagles looking to receive at least £40m for the England international, who is one of their key players.
"Phenomenal" Wharton could be exciting Baleba alternative
The former Blackburn Rovers man is certainly held in very high regard by the Crystal Palace faithful, with Dan Cook of HLTCO singling him out for high praise during the 2024-25 campaign.
However, there are doubts over whether the Palace star would be a like-for-like alternative to Baleba, given that he excels at creating chances and advancing the ball up the pitch, while the Cameroonian flourishes defensively.
Average per 90 (past year) Adam Wharton Carlos Baleba
Assists 0.13 0.03
Progressive passes 7.21 3.96
Tackles 2.09 2.64
Interceptions 1.35 1.62
Blocks 0.94 1.55
That said, Wharton is a different type of player to Baleba, he is Premier League proven, which aligns with the type of signing Man United are looking to make this summer, and the reported £40m asking price is very reasonable.