Manchester United are set to maintain interest in a player who is said to be impossible to sign this summer.
Deals for attackers Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko will bring goals to the Manchester United attack, but work is still required to get the balance of the team right.
No Premier League midfielder created more chances than Bruno Fernandes (5) in the opening weekend, but there are still questions over who is his best partner.
And long-term, Fernandes’ future could become a talking point, which is why midfield has become the area United are keen to address.
The player United want to sign is Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, a top prospect who idolises Paul Pogba.
Carlos Baleba in Brighton training kit
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Manchester United ‘in love’ with Carlos Baleba
Carlos Baleba is entering his third season in the Premier League, after Brighton bought him from Lille in 2023 as a replacement for Moises Caicedo.
United’s efforts to sign Baleba this summer have run into a brick wall, with Brighton determined not to sell him at any price.
This presents United with a dilemma, whether to buy an alternative now, or save the money and the spot for Baleba the following summer.
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Fabrizio Romano’s update on how strong United feel about Baleba, offers a hint over the direction the club could take.
He told YouTube: “‘For 2026, not this transfer window, for the future, will maintain the name of Carlos Baleba very high on their shortlist.
“Amorim is in love, the management is in love, the recruitment team is in love, they believe that Baleba is the perfect player.”
Manchester United were ready to go big for Baleba
Manchester United were ready to pay a club record fee for Carlos Baleba before Brighton shut down the club’s advances.
Romano confirmed that talks had taken place behind the scenes that gave United encouragement, and bode well for the future.
“When you have that kind of strong feeling, very good connection with the player, very good connections with his agents, when Manchester United had contacts with his agents in recent weeks, it was very positive.
“Over contract, personal terms, intention to join without European football, I don’t think it’s over for United and Baleba.”