Manchester United believe that Carlos Baleba may have copied Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo after their latest set of transfer talks.
Manchester United are working to finalise a fifth signing this summer as Rúben Amorim continues his rebuild at Old Trafford.
The club have already spent around £200 million in the 2025 window, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Diego Leon joining for a combined £130 million ahead of the pre-season tour of the United States.
After winning the Premier League Summer Series, United reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign 22-year-old Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško for £65 million, plus £7.5 million in add-ons.
Šeško is expected to be unveiled on Saturday afternoon, and attention has now turned to strengthening the midfield, while a move for a goalkeeper remains a possibility depending on how the market develops.
United pushing for Brighton’s Baleba
With Šeško now over the line and United wanting midfield reinforcements, the club have reportedly turned their heads towards Brighton’s Carlos Baleba as a possible signing in the coming weeks.
However, Brighton are reported to have slapped a £104 million price tag on the player this month, as they believe the 21-year-old has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in world football.
Amorim is said to view Baleba as the perfect player to complement his current system as he hunts for a midfielder to pair with Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park next season.
United have held initial talks with Baleba’s representatives via intermediaries, and may advance on their interest in the coming days if they feel a deal could be struck.
United feel Baleba has copied Cunha and Mbeumo
Despite finishing 15th in the Premier League table last season, United were able to secure the signings of Cunha and Mbeumo, beating the likes of Newcastle, Arsenal, and Chelsea to the players, as they convinced them to push for a move very early in the window.
Both players made it very clear to all suitors and their former clubs that they only wanted to move to Old Trafford, and according to TeamTalk, there is confidence that their discussions with Baleba have had a similar effect.
United believe that the Cameroon international, who is known to be friends with Mbeumo, André Onana, and Leny Yoro, wants to join Amorim’s club this summer, giving them hope that a deal can be reached.
Although Brighton have a reputation for being tough negotiators and only sell their prized players for astronomical fees, there is a belief at United that a deal may be possible if Baleba pushes the Seagulls to sanction a transfer.
With around three weeks left of the window, United do not have much time to complete a transfer, and the closer it gets to the deadline, the harder a deal will be.
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