Man United can seal £100m one-in, one-out Carlos Baleba blockbuster before deadline
Manchester United will be able to sign Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba if they are satisfied with letting one star leave Old Trafford.
Baleba has been the interest of Man United, although the Red Devil’s pursuit of the 21-year-old has cooled due to his high transfer valuation and the need to sell players.
Ruben Amorim has already signed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Premier League clubs, with the pair starting their Man United careers brightly.
Baleba has 61 Premier League appearances and could also hit the ground running immediately, a factor Ruben Amorim may be considering amid his tough start to life in the Old Trafford hotseat.
Saudi Arabia could reignite Bruno Fernandes deal
Brighton‘s £100million price on Baleba means Man United would have to be open to offers for stars like Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes was the subject of a bid from Al-Hilal earlier in the summer and The Guardian [26 August] believe a Saudi Arabian club could still test Man United’s resolve on the midfielder again before the window shuts.
If the Man United captain was sold then interest in Baleba could be reignited, and the Cameroon international would be a more natural fit in a midfield two and could help protect Man United’s back four to greater effect.
Casemiro is losing influence in the team and the 33-year-old needs to be replaced and not be relied upon as a regular starter, and Baleba could be an excellent replacement.
Man United should consider approach for Bruno Fernandes
Whilst Fernandes has become a fan favourite with the Man United supporters, Amorim must think about the bigger picture with where he wants to take the club.
With Kobbie Mainoo willing to quit Man United due to a lack of opportunities under Amorim, bringing in a young player for the future looks essential.
A problem Amorim is currently facing is the lack of energy and dynamism between Fernandes and Casemiro in midfield.
Fernandes is not a box-to-box midfielder and he has no natural position in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
| Appearances | 292 |
| Goals | 98 |
| Assists | 86 |
It would therefore make sense to sell the 30-year-old if a Saudi Arabian club does offer big money for the star before the end of the transfer window.
With the additions of Cunha and Mbeumo, Amorim does not have to rely solely on Fernandes for creativity and goals in the team.
If new signing Benjamin Sesko starts scoring then Fernandes’ place in the side as the main goal scorer and creator becomes redundant.