Man United would love to sign ‘exceptional’ midfielder – ‘I expect it’
Man United are determined to strengthen their options in midfield in 2026 after missing out on a number of key targets during the transfer window.
Ruben Amorim has identified his midfield as an area for improvement after missing out on targets despite their £216million summer spending spree.
Brighton star Carlos Baleba remains at the top of Amorim’s wish list after Man United made contact with Brighton during the summer transfer window.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Man United would love to sign Baleba should the Seagulls reconsider their stance.
However, sources say his price tag could rise from the £100million Brighton demanded for Baleba during the summer transfer window before next year.
Man United consider fresh move for Carlos Baleba
Football Insider revealed on 8 September that Man United will not sign Baleba in January as they will not be able to afford to price tag Brighton have set for him.
The Red Devils still see the Cameroon international as a key target, but could be forced to look elsewhere given the money involved in a potential deal.
Brighton have no plans to lose him in January and will make interested clubs wait until the summer of 2026 when he is expected to cost an even higher fee.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “His price tag’s only going to go up because of how he’s performing for Brighton.
“He’s a top player, Baleba, but he’s under contract until 2028 so Brighton are in no rush to cash in on him and have no intention of selling him.
“They were never going to sell him in the summer transfer window, and Man United’s interest never got as far as offers or bids being made.
“Baleba is on United’s radar because they’re missing that type of player in midfield, and from what I know if Brighton are to sell him they’ll be looking for top dollar.
“There’s no guarantee his price tag will drop, and I expect it could even rise if he enjoys another stellar season for Brighton this year.
“Man United would love the opportunity to sign Baleba, but they’ll have to get past Brighton first and they’ve shown that won’t be easy.”
Brighton are notorious for getting big-money sales over the line, with an excellent track record of buying low and selling high which does not bode well for United.
Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton emerge as Baleba alternatives
Baleba is not the only big-money midfielder on United’s radar ahead of next summer’s transfer window, as the position remains a priority for Amorim.
Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson have both emerged as contenders for the position with a number of ambitious targets on the list at Old Trafford.
However, Crystal Palace are demanding £100million for Wharton, while Nottingham Forest have no plans to let Anderson leave and both players are under long contracts.
United have also been assessing a number of alternatives options from across Europe should their budget not stretch to the demands of their Premier League rivals.
Baleba remains the first-choice for Amorim, though, and has earned high praise throughout the game as Como scout Ben Mattinson labelled him “exceptional”.
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