David Ornstein has issued the latest on Manchester United’s pursuit of new midfielders amid the need for Rúben Amorim to reinforce the position.
Manchester United are expected to bring in at least one midfielder in 2026, though it’s still unclear whether that signing will happen in January or in the summer window.
Rúben Amorim and the club’s recruitment team identified Carlos Baleba as their ideal midfield target last summer, but Brighton’s £100 million valuation forced United to walk away. Personal terms had already been agreed, and Baleba was very keen on the move.
United have also maintained strong interest in Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, while Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton continues to be discussed internally as a possible option.
Recent reports this month have additionally suggested that United are exploring a January move for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, as Wolves battle relegation.
Sources playing down United’s Gomes interest
In Brazil and England, reports are emerging that United’s talks with Wolves over a possible deal for Gomes are ‘advancing’, with suggestions that a deal agreed in January is inevitable.
However, transfer expert David Ornstein, widely regarded as the best in the business, has played down such reports, stating that there have been no club-to-club talks as of yet. However, he also mentioned that, should Wolves fail to get out of their current rut, they could be forced to sell in January.
“There have been reports about Joao Gomes at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Sources I’ve spoken to around Molineux are sort of playing it down, saying there’s no club-to-club talks at this point,” Ornstein told NBC Sports.
“But of course, if Wolves are staring at relegation come January, they might look to cash in on him then, as opposed to letting it go into the championship when his value will decrease.”
United could be less keen on Baleba next summer
Reports have also suggested that United could bring in more than one midfielder amid Casemiro’s expiring contract and Manuel Ugarte’s poor form, meaning securing another beyond Gomes.
When moving on to other targets, Ornstein mentioned Anderson, Baleba, and Wharton, all of whom have been linked with the club of late.
However, he also claimed that, in a bit of a shock twist, United’s interest in Brighton’s Baleba may have dropped in the last few months due to their poor form, despite their assured interest in the player last summer.
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“Other options that Manchester United clearly like, Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest, read a lot about him,” Ornstein continued.
“Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace. Baleba from Brighton, who they looked at last summer, but maybe he’s gone down a bit in their estimation, because his season’s not been quite so spectacular.”
None of these three players are attainable in the January window due to their high prices, although Gomes could remain a one to watch as the winter market closes in.
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